Kingdom Dream Games 2013 start today

Having overcome the hurdles in the preparations including a controversial tug-of-war for the venue with another group it’s game time for the Filipino Arabian Basketball Association (FABA) as it returns to the local sports scene with its initial offering of the 2013 season.
Dubbed Kingdom Dream Games 2013 Hempel Challenge Cup basketball tournament, the highly anticipated event in the Eastern Province finally gets off the ground today at the Al-Nahda Sports Club gymnasium here. Assembly time is at 7 a.m.
The four and a half months long tournament is organized by the FABA trio of Fahad Ibrahim Al Sekaity, chairman; Abdul Aziz “Jawo” Dizon, CEO, and Ely Panahon, commissioner.
This high profile basketball competition enjoys the support of corporate sponsors namely Hempel Paints Saudi Arabia as gold sponsor, Land Bank of the Philippines silver sponsor, NCB Quickpay Remittance silver sponsor, Trans Saudi Travel and Tour Agency bronze sponsor, and Almarai Company, McDonald’s, Bangos Restaurant and Aujan soft drinks.
Teams entered in the tournament and that will join the traditional parade of teams are Premier League Division — National Pipe Company (NPC), Qatif Ball Club, Fahad Alireza Engineering Consultants “(FAEC), Bangos Restaurant; Lower Division — Petromin Oil, King Fahad Military Medical Complex, Wellness UD, Abdul Karim Geyad for Commerce & Industries, Dhahran Warriors, Dammam All Star, Al Hajry, FAEC Junior Division, Nesma, Zamil Offshore, STC, IPSA 40’s, Lanao Lakers, GRCF, Saudi Diesel, Vallorec, Luis Villalon Kings, ACGC, Velosi, BTTC, Al Jazera Motors, Saffari, Mustang Rangers, GUBAT, Notorious, Bai Aluminum, Sigma Paints 40’s, CIASI 40’s, Al Jomaih, Khobar Warrior, ACEC Consultant, COSMA “Al Kabbani,” Hempel Paint, Al Khorayef, Repapips, Esternpak, ISO Shooters, Al Hajry 40’S, and several others which signified their intention to participate.
Along with the Executive Committee of Al Sekaity, Dizon and Panahon the tournament is to be run by committee officials Choy Tubaying, tournament director; Vic Delos Santos, tournament adviser; Toto Iremedio and Bay Bantilan, table officials; Arnold Valdez, programmer; Jojo Dale Carlos, game scheduler, Dong Manalo, treasurer, Gil Collado, table staff; and Mike Labonete, sportscaster. Basketball Referee Association of Dammam (BRAD) will handle the tournament officiating.