KSA - UFSA-DBL Fiesta Conference season kick-off

DAMMAN (UFSA-DBL) - Nobody thought the United Filipino Sports Association -Dammam Basketball League or simply UFSA-DBL could go this far. Very few had even considered that the UFSA-DBL could survive the harsh times and be a haven for many basketball aficionados here in the Eastern Region.

But the UFSA-DBL is now entering its 4th year and has remained as solid and vibrant as ever, a feat that makes the league as one of the biggest and most inspiring success stories in Eastern Province basketball sports.

It seemed like only yesterday when a group of fine and concerned sports leaders gathered and pushed for the creation of a new basketball body that would take over the legacy of the now defunct OFW-SEA.

The UFSA-DBL has had quite a ride - ups and downs - but the challenges and missteps that had almost brought the league down to its knees had helped strengthen it to become what is today - the biggest and the most successful basketball organization in the Eastern Region, not to mention the triumphant staging of Saudi-Bahrain Goodwill Games.

The league reached unprecedented heights in 2003, fell on hard times two years ago, picked itself up, weathered storm after storm, hopped around from one venue to another and had the baton of leadership passed from one great man to the next.

Despite these changes, the UFSA-DBL has been true to its noble goal which is to contribute in its own humble way in the development of basketball in this foreign land.

From its formative years up to the current commissionership of its bubbly co-founder Jojo "Jawo" Dizon the league does not fancy itself as one which would surpass the popularity of the other league currently.

The league has no immediate delusions of grandeur. Right now, the UFSA-DBL is happy and well secured in its place as the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia's premier developmental league, a haven that has helped shape the lives of working expatriates particularly Filipinos.

The league's contributions in society are almost unparalleled due to its offered fun, excitement, balance competition, and fair play.

There are more than a hundred basketball team right now playing from different league but by playing in the UFSA-DBL, one would be able to savor basketball in its purest form and this has also been the reason why more basketball companies and group of aficionados in tandem are aching to join the league.

Dizon, armed with his vast basketball organization experience, scored a breakthrough of sort a year ago when he managed to attract two bitter rivals - NPC and Riyadh All Star - to join the Saudi-Bahrain Dream Games.

That brilliancy touched off several firsts in the premier league. Aside from National Pipe Company and Al Hudaithy Riyadh, the biggest basketball fever of the season will back by Hanco Western Region, DHL Express-Bahrain, and long time regional reigning champion ACEC Consultants.

Fahd Alireza Engineering Consultants Chairman Sheikh Fahd Alireza and Salim Khan Business Development Manager of Universal Motors Agencies welcomed the new development as they supported the league and promised a diverse entertainment that will rock the sports arena.

Dubbed as 4th Season Fiesta Conference, the UFSA-DBL will unveil its year opening at the Al Nahda Sports Club this coming Friday, with a lot of surprises and guest from the Filipino community leaders and top performers.

Aside from the Alireza Premier League, UFSA-DBL will showcase Inter-Regional League, UMA Challenge Inter-Commercial League, Inter-Company and Inter-Veterans for ages 40 and above category.

By Kim G. Cortez
FIBA