TENNIS – Tunisian Aziz Waqa defeated Jordanian Mohammad Al Qutb 7-6, 6-2 to win the 5th Arab Masters Tennis Tournament at the Police Officers Club yesterday.
Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa attended the closing ceremony and awarded trophies and commemorative gifts to the winners.
The event was organised by the ministry for the second consecutive year in co-operation with the Bahrain Tennis Federation (BTF) and the Arab Tennis Federation (ATF).
It was attended by His Majesty King Hamad’s adviser for Youth and Sports Affairs Saleh bin Isa bin Hindi Al Mannai; ATF president Shaikh Ahmed Al Jaber Al Abdulla Al Sabah; Police Chief Lieutenant General Tariq Al Hassan; General Sports Authority CEO Dr Abdulrahman Askar; BTF president Shaikh Abdulaziz bin Mubarak Al Khalifa; International Tennis Federation vice-president Salma Mouelhi; and Interior Ministry’s Standing Committee for Tennis chairman Shaikh Khalid bin Rashid Al Khalifa.
General Shaikh Rashid said that the patronage of His Majesty has contributed to achieving outstanding accomplishments in Bahraini sport and has made Bahrain a distinguished destination for hosting major sporting events at the regional and international levels.
He commended the continued support and follow-up of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
He also highlighted creative youth and sports initiatives of the King’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, as well as his commitment to supporting national talents and providing an environment that fosters excellence.
The minister said that hosting the tournament in Bahrain builds on its sporting successes, most recently the fourth edition of the Ministry of Interior ATP Challenger Tennis Tournament, which won the award for Best ATP125 Tournament Organisation in the world, the first achievement of its kind at the GCC level.
General Shaikh Rashid commended the tournament’s distinguished organisation and the constructive co-operation among the relevant entities, which supports the kingdom’s position on the international sports stage.
He also noted the players’ performance and commitment to sportsmanship, and expressed appreciation to the BTF, the ATF, the ministry’s Standing Committee for Tennis, and the Police Officers Club for their integrated efforts that contributed to the success of the tournament and advance its position on the global tennis map.
The event saw an increase in participation to 24 players from 10 Arab countries.
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