Firms Jeddah Olympics 2008 to kick off at King Fahad Sport Complex here Tuesday (June 17). Dr. Ayman Ghazi Awad, chief organizer of the event, made the announcement at an opening ceremony arranged last week to introduce the inaugural event. The Olympics this year will comprise four sports - football, cricket, basketball and volleyball. Ten teams are taking part in the football competition, six in basketball and five each in cricket and volleyball. The organizing committee plans to increase the number of sports next year. The teams taking part in cricket competition are: Golden Jeddah Co., Mahmoud Saeed Beverage, Jihan Holding, Kamal Jamjoom Co. and King Fahd Sport Complex. Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Ayman said the tournament is the result of five months of hard work. He also thanked the sponsors for making the first Olympic Championship a reality. The event, organized by Golden Jeddah Co., is being held under the auspices of General Presidency for Youth Welfare. Among others the event is being sponsored by Mahmood Saeed Beverage, Saudi Cable, Jihan group, Emaar Arabia, Bin Haseeb, Kamal Jamjoom, Hussain Ali Raza Co., Nahdi Medical Co., dailies Al-Madina and Al-Nadwa. Among those present at the ceremony were: Hussam Ba-Salah, Assistant General Manager of Mahmoud Saeed Beverage; Mohammed Iftakhar Hussain, Management Advisor for Saudi Cricket Center; and Zahir Ahmed Eskander, Vice President of Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA). Dr. Ayman also presented shields and gifts to officials and volunteers of the event. __
