RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, January 30, 2001 - The 4th Ladies International Tennis Tournament kicks off February 1st at Security Forces Hospital's Oasis Compound Recreation Center, its organizers announced recently. The annual tournament features over a hundred tennis players competing in singles and doubles matches.  The lady participants come from all over Riyadh, mainly from the expatriate community, the big majority coming from key hospitals citywide.

Matches shall be played at courts in residential compounds and hospital recreation facilities with the finals planned for Feb. 22-23. The format of the tournament will be that of a knockout system and groups competitors in four classifications (A, B, C1 and C2) will see more balanced and exciting matches.  Top female players in class A include top seeds tennis ace Carmen Dela Rosa, LITT defending champion Helen Simolde and runner-up Binky de Leon, all from the Philippines. Last year LITT's class B champion Jo Alimpuangon has also joined the fray in the premier group.
According to the tournament's executive committee chairman, Lector, the event is a non-profit undertaking and seek to sustain the
success of the past tournaments. At the same time, organizers want to keep alive in the tennis community in Riyadh the fair, friendly and fun competition among the ladies side that was first started in 1998.  This year's theme is Discipline and Excellence through the Sports of Tennis.  Other officers of the committee are J.Estero, Vice-Chairperson, External; M. Tuquiero, Vice-Chairperson, Internal; A. Gutierrez, Secretary-General; H. Simolde, Treasurer; M.Yapsangco, E. Rodriguez, Auditors; A.Robles, B. Vasquez, PROs and N. Eugenio, technical committee chairman.