AL KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia, January 26, 2001 – In an all Saudi final, Abdullah Nasir of Hilal club from Riyadh beat his arch rival Bandar Omairi of Jeddah’s Ittehad club in a thrilling battle and winning 21-19, 16-21, 21-18 to capture the top flight title in the most prestigious sixth Open Table Tennis tournament which was organized by the Eastern Province Table Tennis Players Association (EPTTPA) at the Al-Rakah sports hall.

Both the players delighted the large Friday fans as they battled for the top honor and at times going neck to neck on the scoreboard. In the last game, the newly crowned champion displayed topspin drives on both flanks followed by some drop shots in between. This tactics displayed veteran Omairi on few occasions although, he managed to move fast at both ends with some very good defense and deep chops with his combination racket.

Nasir did got into trouble and committed errors but in the end, he breezed through, winning with his consistent strong topspin drives. The defending champion, Shuber Hahim of Al Salam club came third this time.

In Flight IV, Syed Khawaja Maqsood of Abahsain club who is also the chairman of the organizing committee reached the final with his excellent performance in the qualifying matches and in the semifinal. Having played eight opponents and exhausted, he could not be at his best in the final although, he extended Saad Addahim also from Riyadh’ Hilal club to full three games but lost due to unforced errors.

In the lower levels on the opening day on Thursday, a young and promising Abdul Rahman of IIS, Dammam performed very well to win the Level VII title without much difficulty. He also won the best match in Level II, beating a Saudi national team player, Naeem Hashim of Al Salam club but luck did not favor him, as he failed to make the last four.

Chief guest, Hindi Bin Ibrahim Al Hajri, general director of equestrian club and the board of Horsemanship in the Eastern Province graced the climax. He gave away trophies and special prizes to the champions, runner-ups, third and fourth placers in all the levels.

This popular tournament, played on international standard, is one of the biggest open gala in which Saudis and expatriates participate, said Syed Majidullah Husaini, chief organizer from the Abahsain club and general secretary of EPTTPA.

Asif Niaz of Marhaba restaurant was awarded a memento for his continued support in catering at the tourney for the last couple of years. The EPTTPA president thanked the sponsors Zaki - Sara Corporation (Carrera), Captain Naeem – Trans Saudi, Saud Abdul Waheed Maritime Services, MCP-State Life, Joseph M. Raad – Saudi Pearl Insurance Company (Tragex), Abdul Salaam – Saudi Hollandi Bank, Francois M. Zavier – Al Bank Al Saudi Al Fransi, S. Kyriazis – Frigex Greece, Marhaba restaurant, Al-Rabie – Ghayasuddin Ahmed and Abahsain Chemical.

In the end, Majidullah praised Aizaz Ahmad, Mohiuddin, Qaiser Baig, Yusuf Sharida, Muhammed Yusuf, Saifur Rahman, Inayatur Rahman, Aziz Naveed, Mustafa Ali Khan and Aziz Faridi for their great support in making this gala a success.

Names of all winners along with their clubs are:

Group I – 1. Abdullah Nasir, 2. Bandar Omairi, 3. Shuber Hashim, 4. Khalid Harbi (Al Hilal).

Group II – 1. Naif Jadae (Al Khaloud), 2. Mishal Adhim (Al Hilal), 3. Nasser Swajan (Al Khaloud), 4. Fahed Mutairi (Al Khaloud).

Group III – 1. Abdullah Khaldi (Al Hilal), 2. Ramy Jasser (Al Khaloud), 3. Yusuf Sharida (Abahsain), 4. Muhammed Huwaid (Al Hedaya).

Group IV – 1. Saad Addahim (Al Hilal), 2. S. K. Maqsood (Abahain), 3. Ali Hamood (Al Hedaya), 4. Muhammed Ruba (Al Salam).

Group V – 1. Muhammed Abdul Munim (Al Touqba), 2. Mustafa Ali Khan (Abahsain), 3. Rayyn Bacudo (Petrokemya), 4. Regie Robbles (Petrokemya).

Group VI – 1. Ilyas Noor (Noor Opticals), 2. Abdullah (Abahsain), 3. Saturino Lagria, 4. Regie Ybanez.

Group VII – 1. Abdul Rahman, 2. Ilyas Noor, 3. Muhammed Khaja (Abahsain), 4. M. Jacob (Riyadh).

Group VIII – 1. Leo Adrias (ETTA), 2. Tony Bernado (ETTA), 3. Abdullah (IIS, Dammam), 4. Aziz Naveed (Abahsain).

Group XI – 1. Lino Lagria (ETTA), 2. Monteiro (Tairon company), 3. Leo Romino (ETTA), 4. Butch Aguilar (ETTA).

Group X – 1. Muhammed Saad (Al Touqba), 2. Paul Jacob (IIS, Dammam), 3. Joe Tomyo (Al Suwaidi), 4. Eddie Ribada (Al Suwaidi).

Group XI – 1. Pervez Ahmad (IIS, Dammam), 2. Remy Aloro (ETTA), 3. Moulana Abdullah (Youth), 4. Alberto Promero (ETTA).