DAMMAM: International Indian School, Dammam ruled the roost to emerge overall champion in the Inter-School Badminton (doubles) Tournament which was held at IIS Dammam here recently. Amassing a whopping 23 titles out of 31 events the ISSD boys and girls underlined their supremacy in the three-day championship for boys and girls. The boys bagged 11 titles out of 16 while the girls took 12 out of 15. Out of the remaining eight titles IIS Jubail grabbed six, three each in boys and girls sections, and stood second overall. IIS Riyadh claimed the other two and stood third. The fourth school Al-Khozama International School, which also vied for honors in the championship, drew blank. The domination of host school was so good that the boys made ten finals all-IISD affair and the girls ruled 9 finals. Jubail also made its presence felt at the other side of the net to challenge favorite Dammam. Its boys and girls even went one notch up by showing their mettle in the 12 to 15 age group finals. They also made six finals all-Jubail affair. Over 1,300 boys and girls competed in the tournament in Under 10, Under 12, Under 15, and Under 18 categories. The valedictory ceremony was conducted at Prof. Rasheeduzzafar Indoor Halls at the girls section. Abdul Reheman Al-Wabel, Secretary General of Asharaqia Chambers, EP, graced the occasion as chief guest. Wabel, John Thomas, Chairman Dr Shamshad Ahmed and Fayazuddin, Member of the Managing Committee, Dr E. K. Mohammed Shaffe, Principal and HOI, Syed Hamid, Principal, IIS Jubail; Lt Col. J. A. Rocque, Principal In-charge, girls section, IIS Dammam; and Alamgir Islam, Vice Principal, boys section, IIS Dammam; presented the awards and certificates to the winners. Dr Shaffe welcomed the guests and gathering and N. Lakshmaiah proposed the vote of thanks. The three-day event was co-ordinated by an organizing committee with N. Lakshmaiah as tournament director, Pervez Ahmed and Rupali Solomon as deputy directors, and Nazeer Maniyamkulam as co-coordinator of the social committee. The technical officials were Ghouse and Prasant Shirodhkar (IIS Jubail), Reddy (IIS Riyadh), Ruby Joseph, Naseem Maliki, Shereen, Sadia, Tapas C, Solomon, Riyazuddin, Chechenta, and Abdul Latheef (IIS Dammam). Saudi Gazette __
