The Association of Tennis Clubs in Jeddah (ASTEC) successfully opened its 22nd team tennis event at the tennis courts of Al-Bilad Hotel here. The event is being held in partnership with Al-Baik Broast Chicken and the championship is officially dubbed as the 3rd Al-Baik Team Tennis Tournament 2011. Also supporting the event as co-sponsor is Deltaz Marketing (Prince). The tourney was off to a colorful start with the parade of all participating teams and Bob Wilson, Recreation Manager for Al-Bilad Hotel, made the welcome address. ASTEC Chairman Randy Martin, thanked the sponsors, the venue host Al-Bilad Hotel, the officers of ASTEC, and all the participants. Consul General Uriel Norman Garibay praised ASTEC for organizing such events that provides OFW's and members of various expatriates tennis community in Jeddah with wholesome but competitive sporting activities that alleviate their personal problems. Bassam Al-Seyofi, PR Manager of Al-Baik, thanked the organizers for giving opportunity to support the event anew for the 3rd consecutive time, and further pledged to continue supporting ASTEC in the years to come. Special awards were given to the teams with the best uniforms, where Toyota-ALJACS won the Category C, DJ Auto Parts for Category B2, Saudia Catering for Category LMX, Ohio Ice Cream for Category B1, Al-Ulfa team for Category MMX and Topspin Magic for HMX Ladies Category. The Best Mascot award was won by Jaja Sugay of Samahang Pinoy Tennis Club (SPTC). Best Muse prize was unanimously awarded to Miss Jane Gorospe of team NCB Sally. Highlighting the event was the exhibition match between four of Jeddah's top players pairing the Philippine duo of Rico Gonzales and Aris Feliciano against Zulfikar Ahmed and Mohammad Salahuddin. It was an exciting match as Gonzales and Feliciano raced to an early 3-1 lead with the domination of Gonzales in the net. But Zulfikar and Salahuddin regrouped and countered with better precision to level the score at 3-3, and led the match at 4-3 by breaking service of their opponent. The onslaught continued as Salahuddin delivered successive service aces and powerful forehand drives while Zulfikar showed his mastery at the net with volley winners and dictated the tempo of the match as Gonzales and Feliciano faltered, committing unforced errors in contrast. Sustaining their game, the pair of Zulfikar and Salahuddin prevailed with a winning score of 10-7. Adding spice also to the games were the Ohio ice creams which were given away by Al-Hamra Factory.
