RIYADH, July 25, 2000 – The Diplomatic team were crowned the champions of the top Division 1 in the Nike Riyadh Team Tennis League (RTTL) prize distribution ceremony held at the Al Najd compound hall. This colorful bonanza also marks the end of their Spring season 2000 activity.
Dabab Garden Group finished third in the top flight. The Pioneers squad captured the third spot in Division 2 while the third position in Division 3 went to Vinnell II in this tournament, which was sponsored by Sport Ghornatah, the sole agent of Nike sport wears in the Kingdom.
In addition to the glittering trophies, medals, shields to the deserving winners, many give aways were given out to all thus making the evening thrilling. Special prizes to the most organized team, best players and best sportsmanship were also presented in these three top categories.
A large gathering graced the lengthy Friday’s function, which was also attended by Abdullah Al Thehaiban-assistant managing director of Sport Ghornatah, Farouk El Laithy-RTTL chairman and organizing committee members.
In the ceremonial speeches that followed, Thehaiban praised the hard work of RTTL and its success for the past twenty-four years. He congratulated the chairman, members of the executive committee, team captains and the participants, thanking them for making the season end on a positive note. He urged them to keep up their ongoing efforts as they have done for the past 24-years, as you have no limits and "Just do it".
He added that," Sport Ghornatah as in the past, will continue to extend full support to RTTL. We have the best tools to enhance your skills and techniques and our products have been choice of champions and used by winners in all sports."
El Laithy shed light on the season and said that it is with pride and honor that I wish the champions, runners-ups and individual winners of the special awards the best of luck. This season had been full of rewarding experiences and pleasant encounters you would not have known till you are in the RTTL. This league has enriched our lives through varied personal inter-actions for the interest of the game lovers.
He also aired of thanks to the committee members, team captains and the players. It showed trust and loyalty to the league, which has been serving the Riyadh community for a very long time. He specially praised the sole sponsor Nike through Sports Ghornatah thanks to the courtesy of their assistant managing director for their never ending generosity.
The organizing committee, which managed this four months gala, was headed by El Laithy with Mike Maddock as his vice chairman. Others who assisted them were S. M. Gatchalian, Salim Bitar, Emil Manapsal, John Lagat, Richard Lucardie, Lennie Manzano, Edgardo Dooma, Manny Lector, Larry Bustamante, Chito Abreu, Manny Ortiz, Noli Mendoza, J. Estero, A. Robles, H. Simolde and V. Algre.
The RTTL Fall Season 2000 activity will swing into action from September 21. The dead line for the applications in these top three divisions is September 1. Interested to join, contact El Laithy on fax 401-0004 or 408-2584.
The receipts of the awards and the special prizes are:

Division 1: Champion–Diplomatic team (captain Salim Bitar, assistant captain F. Ogaick, Badr Al Mogaiyl, Baqr Abukhalaif, Shamim Islam, Muhammed Ali Al Sheikh, L. Trana, R. Tufenkeji, D. Tufenkeji, T. Ogaick); runner up–Electrolink (captain Ato Bautista, assistant captain Saleh Al Zahrani, Hussam Dagfaq, Raffy Dela Cruz, Numer Villar, Doods Dela Torre, Vincent Frances, B. De Leon, J. Alimpoangon, M. Flores, R.Oro); most organized team–Diplomatic team; best players–Badr Al Mogaiyl, B. De Leon; best sportsmanship-Talal Rahhal, P. Pichasset