JEDDAH: The 20th Perrier Open Tennis Classic will once again sparkle into life here at the Albilad Hotel Courts starting Dec. 16. According to Rafi Ahmed Khan of Basamh Trading, sponsors of the event, and Bob Wilson of Albilad Hotel, this year's tournament will consist of seven categories namely the men's singles A, B, C, men's Saudi only, men's doubles, juniors 16 years and under and juniors 12 years and under. The Perrier tournament is one of the most prestigious events on the tennis calendar and attracts all the top players in the Kingdom. Last year's winner of the men's A singles category Rico Gonzales will be back to defend his title. Stiff competition however is expected from former champion Ahmed Mehelmy and Zulfiqar Ahmed as well as Saudi national player Fahmi Saleh, Manny Valleramos from the Philippines and Hassan Khan from Pakistan. Basamh Trading Co. Ltd, sponsors of the tournament, has announced that the prize money this year for the men's A singles category winner will be SR10,000, the Saudi only Category winner will receive SR5,000. All other category winners will also receive prize money and for the second time the junior winners will also receive cash prizes. Application forms are now available at the Albilad Hotel and all major sports shops in Jeddah. Entry deadline is Dec. 12. Matches are to be played every evening at the Albilad courts from 7:00 P.M. onwards. For further information, contact Bob Wilson at the Albilad Hotel (6944777 ext 2016).
