RIYADH, Nov. 21, 2000 – The three Saudi players - Othman Al Enezi, Saeed Shabib and Ahmed Suleiman captured the Class-A, Class-B and Class-C singles titles respectively as the 25^th El Faleh Sports House annual Desert Classic Open Tennis ended in an impressive manner at the hotel Intercontinental recreation center.
The three categories that escaped the Saudis domination were Over-45, Juniors Under-14 and Under-12. Here, Leo Malinao emerged the champion of Over-45, Aamer Javed topped in the Under-14 and Ben Harries captured the Under-12 title.
In Class-A final, Enezi overcame the fighting Shabib 6-4, 7-5. Little earlier, the latter bagged the Class-B crown by winning over the Saudi national coach, Hicham Riani by 6-1, 6-3. Despite this, Shabib fought well against the favorite Enezi in a match that followed immediately.
Suleiman, the more energetic recorded an easy win over his Filipino rival, Robert Derequito 6-1, 6-3. The Over-45 crown went to Leo Malinao who defeated Nasser Shaye 6-3, 6-1.
In the two juniors categories, Javed consistency prevailed over Abdulaziz Abu Rasheed and the former won 4-0, 4-1 to become champion of the Under-14. In the Under-12, it was Harries who battled for almost two and half hours to overpower Abdelhamid Riani by 2-4, 5-4, 4-0 margin to clinch the title here.
The chief guest, Abdulaziz Al Kredis, president of the Saudi Tennis Federation (STF), assisted by Chris Maloney, general manager and Adel Mahboob, resident manager, of the hotel Intercontinental presented awards to various winners. Rasheed Abu Rasheed, STF general secretary also graced the colorful awarding ceremony.
The organizing committee which managed this month long gala was composed of Chris Maloney (chairman), Adel Mahboob (vice chairman) with members Muhammed Dekeidk, Alessandro Redaelli, Farouk El Laithy, Khadim Hussein, Mark Stanley, Fazal Ahmed. The technical body was headed by veteran El Laithy. He was assisted here by Hicham Riani, Manny Lector, Larry Bustamante, Randy Vilan, Herman Honrdo, Bert Ambo Jr., Chito Abreu, Eid Yap.
El Laithy was also the head of general referees. The others were Mike Maddock, Ed Yap, Hicham Riani, Bert Ambo Jr., Sonny Santos, Nilo Eugenio. The line judges were Cesar Areenas, Bernie De Castro, Boy Alvaran, Danny Narsolis, Lito Remo, Robert Angeles, James Magsanoc, Danny Madrilejo, Bert Sunglao, Del Serrano, Nick Resurreccion, Tito Siongco, Mimi Papa, Edwar Delgado, Raul Ramirez, Jun Sadera, Alex Luzon, Jojo Reyes, Oscar Asis, Manny Albes, Recto Gueco, Noli Pablico, Camar Pancho, Ronnie Aro, Rene Soriano, Ely Sabello, Romer Dizon, Tony De Guzman and Omar Saparo.
The tournament was mainly sponsored by El Faleh Sports House. Other companies, which supported, were Pepsi, Power Horse Energy Drink, Saudi Globalstar, SGB Dabal for scaffolding, Promoaction and DDB.
In his concluding speech, Maloney said that it was a coincidence that when the action in this event began, it coincided also with the 25^th anniversary of the Intercon hotel. He thanked all the sponsors and various committees for the support in the efforts to promote and organized sporting activities of highly competitive nature.

He disclosed that the ongoing project to refurbish and revamp the health and leisure facility would be completed in early 2001. He appreciated the extra efforts of El Laithy, SGB Dabal, Mark Stanley and Fazal Ahmed. Words of praise were aired for STF, which cooperated fully with the five star hotel in promotion of sport activities in the city, specially the game of tennis.

All winners of the double categories were:

Class A – Champion: Othman Enezi-Joey Samia, runner up: Sonny Santos-Alvin Ebreo.

Class B – Champion: Sonny Santos-Willy Biay, runner up: Hussam Daghfag-Omar Swaidan.

Class C – Champion: Saeed Shabib-Rashed Falah, runner up: Pete Petersen-Larry Barcelona.