Abu Chulliyode JEDDAH — The Area 7 of the Division G Toastmasters conducted its annual speech conference on Saturday here at a local restaurant. The contestants were winners of their clubs that falls under the Area 7 in the western region of Saudi Arabia, Jeddah. The speakers' bureau chair DTM Ibrahim Samman gave an inspiring speech in which he stressed the significance of communication and leadership skills, and elaborated the theme “One team, one goal, celebrating diversity.” “Though we hail from different backgrounds, we are united here for a common goal, that is the beauty of Toastmasters International,” he said. The core of the contest was the International Speech contest. TM Rizwan Sheikh of Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) won the first prize in both International Speech category and Speech Evaluation contest. His eloquence and deft delivery captured the audience's rapt attention and applause. Khaled Baharitha secured the second place while Ahmed Mushtaq got the third place in the International Speech contest. Fatima Aljawi won the first place in Arabic contest. The contest master Boby Ensomo led the segment. Ghulzar Khan of Eagle Club won the first place in the Humorous Speech session. Khan's speech was laced with stories that tickled funny bones of the audience. Abu Kunnathadathil of ALJ bagged the second prize while Ovis Mushtaq secured the third place. Beniffer Consolacion led the humorous speech contest. Ahmad Sani of OPM Club won the first prize in the Table Topics session while Sara Muhammed and Tariq Dil Muhammed secured second and third places respectively. Fatima Al Ghamdi bagged the first prize in Arabic contest. Contest master Khaleel Ahmed led the show. In the Speech Evaluation category, Gulzar Khan and Jasmin Consolacion won the second and third places respectively. Fatima Aljawi was the winner in the Arabic category. The target speaker in both English and Arabic were Omar Fattah and Basheer Ambalavan, the contest masters. The first and second place winners in all four categories will represent the Area 7 in the Division G Contest, which is slated to be held on March 13 in Jeddah. Many prominent personalities attended and delivered felicitation speeches at the event including the Division G Governor DTM Johnnygene Padillo, SATAC Chair DTM Tess Villanueva, DTM Rashid Ali. Mosleh Alemrani, the Area 7 Governor, gave an introductory speech in which he highlighted the multicultural diversity of Area-7 comprising three English clubs and an Arabic and Tagalog language club. Muhammed Kunhi was the master of ceremony. Sergeant-at-arms Basheer Ambalavan started the session. The Area 7 Governor Mosleh Alemrani proposed a vote of thanks followed by a sumptuous dinner at the venue. — SG
