JEDDAH — Reza Food Services Co. Ltd, the exclusive McDonald's developmental licensee for the Western and Southern regions of the Kingdom, Tokyo Games and Lifestylez held the annual Jeddah Basketball Championship at the Sheraton Hotel, for the fourth year in a row, on March 20 and 21, where talent from across the region gathered to compete in a charity basketball tournament. This year, 24 teams, new and returning, competed in the two-day tournament, where each of the three sponsors donated SR10 for each point scored throughout the games, and all proceeds gathered from the entertainment section was donated to charity. By the end of the second day the event raised over SR30,000 for Friends of Jeddah Parks and the Jeddah Institute for Speech and Hearing (JISH). First place winner, Team Lebanon, was awarded a grand prize of SR15,000 and a chance to compete in the International FIBA 3x3 basketball tournament, taking place later this year in Switzerland. Mohammed Alireza, deputy general manager of Reza Food Services Co. ltd, said: “Over the last four years we have witnessed the growing success of this tournament, prompting us to continue to hold the event year after year. We believe such events are extremely important in fostering young talent and providing the Saudi community with a forum in which they can show off their skills. “We believe it is necessary to give back to the community, and with such an event, we definitely strived to do so, whether by giving the youth the opportunity to compete in a sport they love, or by raising funds for those helping to improve the community,” Alireza added. The championship, which was sponsored by the three companies and endorsed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) garnered wide participation and heavy attendance from the sports community, such as former WNBA champions currently working in the NBA and FIBA representatives, as well as spectators who came along to support the players. Mishaal Alireza, vice president of marketing of Alireza Holding Co. and of Tokyo Games, commented on the success of the event, stating: “This year we tried to make it bigger and better, by offering more to spectators and those coming to show their support. Not only did we witness a big turnout of basketball enthusiasts, but there was significant attendance from those watching from the sidelines.” Essam Zahid, executive owner of Lifestylez, said: “We saw a great level of talent at this year's tournament, with returning players showing off their skills and new players taking their turns too. It is important that we provide the Saudi youth with opportunities to nurture their skills and we are pleased to continue to support them in doing so.” Along with the basketball tournament, this year's event saw an entertainment section for friends and family, who participated in activities such as three-point shootouts, play station and arcade games, and children's activities. The event provided a form of entertainment for all, whether on the basketball court, or the adjoining field, which was filled with fun and games.
