By Abdellatif Sharaa

KUWAIT: The first Rafael Nadal Academy Kuwait (RNAK) Tennis Tournament was concluded in presence of President of Kuwait and Arab Tennis Federations Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Abdallah Al-Sabah and National Guard Undersecretary Lt General Engineer Hashim Al- Refae. The tournament which started on October 21st was one of a series of tournaments organized by RNAK in cooperation with KTF.

The matches were played at Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdallah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah international tennis complex. The first men's tournament was won by Abdelhameed Jumaa (from Salmiya Sports Club) and is a lieutenant at the National Guard. He defeated his teammate Essa Qabazard 2-0. The women's tournament was won by Iman Al-Mitwally who beat Yasmeen Al-Shimali in the final match 2-1.

KTF Secretary General Faleh Al-Otaibi, Treasurer Ali Al-Daihani, Technical Director Abbas Al-Busairi, representative of the women's committee Dana Al-Fulaij, RNAK Director General Martijn Belgraver and Head Tennis Coach Nuno Marques attended the final match.

The Academy plans to organize two similar tournaments in November to be followed by the fourth - for the masters where the best 8 players in the three tournaments will participate. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Jaber was pleased with the success of this first RNAK tournament - following a long period of lack of activities abroad due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the series of tournaments will make it easier for the players as they get ready for the third Gulf games to be hosted by Kuwait from March 7-17, 2021.