The Eighth Annual KEF Tennis Challenge hosted by KEF Holdings, a UAE-based multinational diversified group that specializes in innovative offsite construction technology, concluded on Saturday, 5 March, with action-packed finals that saw Amit Batta and Vishesh Bhatia emerging as champions in the Group A category, and Ahmed Zachariah Faizal and Saad Yenepoya clinching the honors in the Group B category.
In Group A, pairing Batta and Bhatia won 6-2, 6-1, defeating opponents, Ganesh and Syed Zohair Raza in an exciting contest. The Group B finals saw Faizal and Yenepoya beat Thomas Jacob and Aaram Kurian, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 with the four players battling it out to the finish.
This year’s tournament welcomed 70 players from the Middle East, US, UK, Germany, India, Mexico and more. The event was launched in 2009 by Faizal E. Kottikollon, Chairman and Founder of KEF Holdings and Shabana Faizal, Vice-Chairperson of KEF Holdings, who felt the need for a tournament that celebrated tennis as a sport at a grassroots level and encouraged players of all ages and backgrounds to pursue their love for the game.
Speaking at the finale, Shabana Faizal, Vice-Chairperson of KEF Holdings and Director of the KEF Tennis Challenge, said: “We are pleased to conclude yet another successful edition of the KEF Tennis Challenge, which celebrates sporting talent and invites talented players from around the world to display their best tennis.
“The sheer enthusiasm and sportsmanship displayed by our players both on and off the court year after year, tells us that the initiative that we have been running for the past eight years is indeed something that people look forward to.
“It is especially heartening to see players from countries including Kazakhstan, Pakistan, India and Mexico using this tournament as a platform to compete and interact with each other. For us, the tournament has always been a way to engage with seasoned regional, international and amateur players and understand what is important to them and what excites them.”
Category B winners with their cheque at the post-match presentation.
Vishesh Bhatia, one of the winners of tournament, added: “I have played in the tournament for several years now and have become more and more confident in my game. It is great to have a win under my belt but more than anything this weekend was a fantastic opportunity to meet other passionate players. I am really grateful to Mr.Faizal and Mrs. Shabana for this opportunity.”
Following the final matches, which took place at the KEF villa in Sharjah, winners and runners-up were awarded with trophies and cash awards totaling US$10,000. The guest of honour was Phil Wickham, CEO – Kaufmann Fellows, who also participated in the tournament, having traveled from Palo Alto, USA to be a part of the tournament.
Faizal E. Kottikollon added: “Eight years down the line, I still look forward to the challenge with the same level of excitement. It is great fun to watch players of all ages and backgrounds bond over their common love for this sport.”
