JEDDAH: Gold’s Gym continued its tradition of providing youth with activities during the month of Ramadan with the staging of the fourth annual Three-on-Three Street Ball Tournament for youth 20 and under last week.
Gold’s Gym opened up the Hood Basketball academy free for the community during Ramadan. The tournament lasted 10 days with the teams playing over 40 games to reach the finals. Gold’s Gym has been a strong pillar in the community realizing its corporate responsibility by providing recreation and health information to the community.
Up first was a 5-on-5 exhibition game of Captain Assad’s 12-year-old junior boys that played with an amazing knowledge of the game. They wowed the audience with their skills, passing, playing defense, dribbling, and shooting. For their efforts the boys received medals and trophies after the contest.
The final got off to a slow start with both teams, Ball For Real and Black Ghost, missing their shots. Ball for Real’s players Othman Tawakat, Akram Al Amadi, Hamada Al Haj, and Taher Gabarty scored first with good inside passing. The Black Ghost; Abkar Al Sari, Othman Makkah, Mohammad Al Jamahi quickly tied the game.
The Black Ghost’s Salman Al Mowallad was not present and they battled on without a sub. For the next 15 minutes the teams traded baskets till both teams were over the limit and all fouls resulted in free throws. The game changed to foul the man with the ball and let him make the foul shot. Both teams shot about 50 per cent and the score still went back and forth. The game was tied at 10 baskets apiece with 50 seconds left and the Black Ghost hit a three-pointer with just seconds left on the clock and squeaked out the victory.
The champion team received the prize of one-year free membership to Gold’s Gym, medals and a championship trophy. Second place winners received six months free at Gold’s Gym, medals and a trophy. Gold’s Gyms Outdoor Manager Captain Assad organized the tournament.
