DAMMAM: A newly organized Filipino community in Qatif ushered its official entry to sports events in Eastern Province by holding its first basketball tournament participated by nine teams from Dammam, Al-Khobar, Qatif and Sihat. The new Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) organization, whose acronym is QUIAPO (Qatif Ugnayan para Isulong ang Adhikain ng Pamayanang OFWs), launched the tournament to mark the induction of its first set of officers. The QUIAPO first basketball league was ushered by a friendly game between two seasoned teams – GMC UMA and Ilocandia. GMC-UMA defeated Ilocandia 96-72. The tournament was held for over a month and attended by workers and their families. The overall champion in the month-long tournament was Al-Wakeel, which defeated the Viscaya Rangers, 94-79, in the highly contested battle that required best of three contests. The members of the nine teams who participated in the tournament were all blue-collar workers from Qatif and neighboring towns. The teams included Warriors, Al-Mahasna, Al-Wakeel, Oasis, GMC-UMA, Qatif Kings, Viscaya Rangers, Miami Dreamers and Ilocandia. The founding of QUIAPO was initiated by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) under the leadership of Philippine Embassy welfare officer Ron Lionel Bartolome, who was ably assisted by POLO officers Sergio Borgueta and Allen Jack Arroyo. “For the first time, Filipino workers in Qatif, Eastern Province, who are mostly workers in factories, fabrication establishments, and service industries, have formed an organization that embodies their humble aspirations as overseas workers,” said Bartolome. He also recognized the support of Qatif Mayor Engineer Shafeeq Al-Saif and leading local businessmen headed by Mohammed Abdullah Al-Wakeel to the Filipino workers based in the area. Bartolome inducted the officers and members who currently number about 50 blue-collar workers. The officials of the new organization are Romeo Allado, president; Rolando Fajardo, vice president-external affairs; Junnell Salas, vice president-internal affairs; Henry Leonard de Loyola, secretary; Cyr Douglas Mariot, treasurer; Ryan Bala, auditor; and Crisanto Manila, press officer. In his valedictory speech, QUIAPO president Romeo Allado cited the four main objectives: (1) Support and cooperate with the Philippine Embassy, (2) create awareness on the need to respect and adhere to local laws and regulation, (3) support compatriots who are in need, and (4) promote physical fitness program among Filipino workers. Though the basketball tournament will now become a regular event of QUIAPO, the new organization will also conduct livelihood seminar and counseling on Saudi labor laws, according to Bartolome.
