Dammam, Saudi Arabia – The Eastern Province Basketball League, a non-profit basketball organization, held a general meeting last Friday at the Al-Ettifaq Club gym to unveil its second conference for 2009 dubbed as “Commissioner’s Cup” on 6 November 2009 here.
There were 75 team representatives who attended the meeting and they were mainly team coaches, managers and captains. The main agenda were about tournament in-house rules, player ratings and most important of all the prizes.
EPBL commissioner Jun Sanchez opened the meeting with a staggering announcement that Al Falak Solutions are proudly supporting this conference.
The statement drew applause from the participants and ignited more cheers when he informed the attendees that the champions for the second conference will each receive a distinctive trophy that will clearly stand out.
Enhancement of EPBL ground rules was clearly discussed via an open forum and it ended up with a conclusion that EPBL in-house rules are designed mainly to safeguard the teams, the players, and EPBL.
Sanchez explained extensively the inclusion of the new articles in the EPBL In-House Rules.
EPBL wants all who attend their games to enjoy the experience in a responsible fashion. The rules says that all are required to refrain from behavior that is unruly, disruptive or illegal in nature; intoxication or other signs of impairment that result in irresponsible behavior; foul or abusive language or obscene gestures; interference with the progress of the game (including throwing objects); and verbal or physical harassment of the opposing team, fans, or to the EPBL committee.
“In view of the unfortunate incident that happened during the first conference of 2009, the EPBL technical committee had no choice but reviews the existing rules and regulations and come up with additional rules to cover every punishable offense that may happen in the future.” Sanchez said.
Sanchez is referring to the championship match between Al Mojil and Saudi Ready Mix where Al Mojil allowed an unlisted player to play as substitute to a listed player throughout the tournament.
As a consequence to Al Mojil’s action, EPBL committee unanimously voted to forfeit the special award to represent EPBL in the charity games in Bahrain for the typhoon victims in the Philippines and instead awarded it to Saudi Ready Mix.
In a press statement sent to EPBL Chronicle, Basel Humaidah, general manager of Al-Falak, said “It is always our pleasure to be part of a social activity like the EPBL, supporting people to enjoy their game. Over the past several years, EPBL has continued to organize good competitive tournaments. I have always enjoyed watching the games between great teams that are attracted to participate with EPBL due to their good track record of organizing successful tournaments.”
Humaidah, an active supporter of basketball quoted Patrick James "Pat" Riley (a former American National Basketball Association player and coach and the current team president of the Miami Heat) in his statement saying “There are only two options regarding commitment. You are either in or out. There is no such thing as life in between. We have continued commitment to be part of EPBL and supporting their noble mission.” Humaidah added.
The invitation to the second conference drew an overwhelming response from 39 teams from various basketball teams, ball clubs and companies in the Eastern Province.
The participating teams are Al Mojil, ARCAN, BISDAK and Markaz Daggers for League B Open Rated Teams.
League C (Open Non Rated Teams): Abdulkarim, Arabian Consulting Engineering Centre, Cue Master, Dammam Kings, DOBIM Tigers, Leytenos, Sharbatly Fruits and White House Optical.
Inter-company Class A (Bonafide Non Rated Teams): Al Khatlan, Al Tuwairqi, COSMA 1, Saudi Ready Mix, TASECO, Zamil Steel, McDonalds.
Inter-company Class B (Bonafide Non Rated Teams): Al Binali, Al Dossary, Al Falak, Metal Services, Safari Company and Saipem Snamprogetti.
Inter-company Class C (Bonafide Non Rated Teams): Al Bilad, Al Iman, COSMA 2, FEMCO, GCC and NESMA.
Inter-company Class D (Consultants’ League): Saudi Fal, DAR Al Riyadh, PI Consult, Radicon Gulf, FEMCO Yuksel Consortium, Al Jazeera Ford and Saud Consult.