JEDDAH — After being re-scheduled for a week due to technical issues, the 5th Al Baik Tennis Challenge 2013 tournament opened during the weekend at the tennis courts of Al-Bilad Hotel here. Participants and spectators were treated to a colorful parade by participating teams — a traditional touch by tournament organizer Association of Tennis Clubs (ASTEC), Jeddah. It was a well-attended affair, where the Philippine Consul General in Jeddah, Uriel Norman Garibay, came to deliver the inspirational talk. Bassam Al-Seyofi, PR Manager of Al Baik Food Systems Inc. represented the main sponsor. He thanked ASTEC for the continued partnership in providing quality events to the Jeddah tennis community. Highlighting the event after the parade was the choice of special awardees for the Best in Uniform Teams. Winner in Category C was team ALJ-Toyota Prado, Category B2 award went to DJ Auto Parts, in Category LMX DPWorld team ran off with the award, in the MMX Category Zuhair Fayes Partnership team won hands down, while in the B1 Category Jeddah Ranao Tennis Club (JRTC) was chosen. Providing added excitement was the exhibition match between Jeddah's top tennis players, which the pair of Ahmed Mehelmy and Mohammed Salahuddin won against the fighting duo of Rico Gonzales with partner Dilson Autentico with a score of 10-8. The tournament, which is scheduled to run for two months, has attracted 59 teams of nine players each. Early match results of the daily eliminations round for Category C, ALJ-Toyota Prado 3(25) beat SPTC 1(24), SBD-RPG TC-1 3(31) beat MSB Dark Horse 0(14), Zuhair Fayez Partnership 3(29) beat Arabian Homes 1(20), SBG-RPG TC-2 3(27) beat RPM Renegades 1(20) and JRTC-Yusoph 2(27) beat RSTP 2(21). In Category B2, SSS Black Tigers 2(28) beat DJ Auto Parts 2(26), Sports Track J&B 2(25) beat SPTC 2(18) and RSTP-1 2(26) beat NCB Manny 2(22). Category LMX saw DPWorld 3(31) beat Uricane 1(22). In Category MMX, DPWorld 2(30) beat Al-Shuman 2(21) and Zuhair Fayez Partnership 3(32) beat RPM Renegades 0(19). Organized and managed by ASTEC Jeddah, under the helm of its chairman Francis Idjao Jr. and Tournament Director Tonton Pana, this 26th ASTEC team tennis tournament is presented in partnership with Al Baik Food Systems Co. Ltd., represented by Bassam Al-Seyofi (PR Manager), Mahmoud Al-Jaber (Marketing Coordinator) and Ed Cabiedes (Branch Manager). The tournament is supported by Deltaz Marketing (Racquet Shop) courtesy Tony Kassis, Maher Tebakhi and Amin Malik. Also providing support are Skyfreight Forwarders, TFC The Filipino Channel and Pepsi Bugshan.
