PBA Legends in Saudi Arabia
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 11 Oct 2012
MANILA (PNA) -- Basketball-crazy Filipinos in the Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will finally have the chance of seeing anew their cage heroes with the visit of the PBA Legends in the area to play a series of exhibition and goodwill games on October 24 to November 2.
The PBA Legends games, to be played in the cities of Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh, will be in connection with the the annual celebration of the Hajj season on Oct. 24-29 in Saudi Arabia . Hajj is the pilgrimage to Mecca and is one of the greatest religious observances in Islam.
The program, according to PBA Legends USA Foundation secretary general Ruffy Ignacio, is supported by His Royal Highness Prince Nawaf bin Faisal bin Fahad, President General of Youth Welfare, Ministry of Sports and Welfare of the Kingdom.
The project is also aimed at strengthening athletic and cultural ties between the Host Country and the Philippines. Select local teams from Saudi Arabia will participate in the program.
The program is being managed by Coordinations Est. Company, in cooperation with various regional Filipino basketball organizations in Saudi Arabia -- the Pilipino Basketball Association (PBA) in Dammam, Overseas Filipino Basketball League (OFBL) in Jeddah and the Philippine Arabia Basketball Association (PABA) in Riyadh, Ignacio disclosed.
The program is under the overall leadership of Fahad Ibraheem Al Sekaity, and Abdul Aziz Virgilio "Jawo" Dizon, a 19-year Filipino expatriate executive in the Kingdom.
Manila-based legends Marlou Aquino, E.J. Feiel, Bonnel Balingit, Rodney Santos, Bong Hawkins, Gherome Ejercito, Grald Esplana, Vince Hizon, Bal David and Noli Locsin along with US-based Abe King, Jr., PBA Legends USA Foundation, Chair and president, and Ponky Alolor make up the PBA Legends team.
Unknown to many, the Filipino basketball communities in the Kingdom are a well-knit group of dedicated and hardworking kababayans who advance the twin cause of basketball and fellowship in that part of the world. In the last fifteen years, this united group has been conducting basketball tournaments, whole-year round in various regions in Saudi Arabia, ala PBA in the Philippines.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Stanford University’s Dante Kirkman Set to Return to the Ring at Fox Theater in Redwood City, CA
Sat, 02 Nov 2024EDDIE HEARN’S MATCHROOM PROVIDES MAJOR FINANCIAL BOOST TO 100 UK AMATEUR BOXING CLUBS IN NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH EMPIRE FIGHTING CHANCE
Sat, 02 Nov 2024The Scariest Division in Boxing
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 01 Nov 2024"Worcester Championship Boxing" Official Weights
Fri, 01 Nov 2024SCHOFIELD VS. TELLEZ GIRON FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 01 Nov 2024WEIGHTS FROM ORLANDO FLORIDA
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Team USA Sends Five Boxers to the World Boxing U19 Championship Finals and a Chance at Gold
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Press Conference Notes: Robson Conceição and O'Shaquie Foster Promise to Settle Rivalry in Saturday's World Title Rematch
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Undefeated bantamweight prospect Dominique “Dimes” Crowder Ready to cash in on The Boardwalk
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Kevin Arquero rules 3rd Fide Master Angelito Z. Camer Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 31 Oct 2024Plania stops Julio in 3rd round
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 31 Oct 2024MARIO "EL AZTECA" BARRIOS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
Thu, 31 Oct 2024Mama fails to win WBO NABO fly
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 31 Oct 2024Top Rank Presents Junior Lightweight World Championship: Robson Conceição vs. O'Shaquie Foster 2
Thu, 31 Oct 2024Membership of World Boxing rises to 51 National Federations after it approves applications from seven more countries
Thu, 31 Oct 2024