(L-R) Al-Raddadi Marketing Manager Ahmad Abdulrahman, Dr. Jethro Fajardo MD, Philippine Consul General Uriel Norman Garibay, Al Baik PR Manager Bassam Al-Seyofi, Al Baik Marketing Coordinator Mahmoud Al-Jaber and Astec Chairman Randy Martin share a light moment during the opening ceremony in Jeddah. Chet Bautista
JEDDAH – Living up to expectations as a premier sports organizer, the Association of Tennis Clubs (Astec), Jeddah, successfully opened its 24th tournament dubbed as the 4th Al Baik Team Tennis Challenge 2012. The event began with the parade of the participating teams and Astec's Chairman Randy Martin's welcome address. Philippine Consul General Uriel Norman Garibay shared with the crowd his insights on the sport of tennis and the health benefits that can be derived from regular play and exercise. Al Baik Food Systems PR Manager Bassam Al-Seyofi thanked the organizers for giving them the opportunity to sponsor the event for the fourth successive year and wished all participants the best during the tournament. Special awards were given to participating teams with the best uniform. The chosen ones were: Hitec-Hidada in Category C, ABTC in Category B2, Saudia Catering in Category LMx and DJ Autoparts in Category MMx. Adding spice to the event were raffle draws where Al Baik food coupons were given away with the main prizes of Prince tennis bags and tennis rackets, courtesy of Deltaz Marketing (Racquet Shop). Also present was Dr. Jethro Fajardo and his team from Al-Raddadi Clinic who provided free medical consultation to everyone. One highlight of the event was an exhibition match between top caliber tennis players pairing Rico Gonzales and Gio Morte against Mohammad Salahuddin and Dilson Autentico. It was dominated early on by Salahuddin and Autentico as they broke Morte's serve to post a 2-1 lead at change of ends. Autentico then held serve to lead 3-1 as Gonzales held serve to narrow the gap at 2-3. It was a tight game as they ended up tied at 9-9 to force a tie-break. At 5-5 during tie-break, Morte double-faulted to give the lead to the serving Autentico 6-5 who then served for the match in the ensuing play which his partner Salahuddin cornered in the net to produce the point and win the match at 10-9 (7-5). This tournament is organized and managed by the Association of Tennis Clubs (Astec), Jeddah in partnership with Al Baik Food Systems Co. as major sponsor through its PR Manager Bassam Al-Seyofi and Marketing Coordinator Mahmoud Al-Jaber. Also supporting the event is Deltaz Marketing (Racquet Shop) through their Head of Retail Dept. Maher Al-Tebakhi and Branch Manager Amin Malik. Providing medical and emergency assistance is Al-Raddadi Clinic, arranged through their Marketing Manager Ahmad Abdulrahman and Tony Bustamante.
