RIYADH: A young Saudi engineer has won two awards in a series of fiercely contested English speech events organized by the Toastmasters Club in Riyadh.
Omer Al-Hussaini, who is working as a project manager for satellites at King Abdulaziz City for Science & Technology (KACST), won two of the four events.
"His excellent performance left the audience and the judges spellbound," said Syed Ziaur Rahman, governor of Toastmasters International (District 79), at the event organized by the Area 22 Toastmasters Club at Riyadh Palace Hotel on Tuesday.
Rahman said that Al-Hussaini, a computer engineer by profession, was the first Saudi to show such exemplary communication skills in English language. Al-Hussaini won the international speech contest and humorous speech contest.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Al-Hussaini attributed his success to the Toastmasters.
He said that he developed his communication skills during his stay in Australia and South Africa. This young Saudi participant, who also has the distinction of being the first Arabic speech champion in Kuwait last year, said that Craig Valentine, a Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking, was his role model. Another participant, Sunila Chaku, who participated in three contests, won second position in the table topics contest, won by Delfin Federico. Arem Araja was third. Arsenio R. Corres grabbed second position in the speech evaluation contest, with Sivada Warrier third.
Atif Abdulrahman and Abdul Latheef Kiliyanni won second and third positions respectively in the international speech contest. In the humorous speech contest, Corres and Shariq Mustaqeem were placed second and third respectively. Gavelier Anoop Joseph was contest master for the speech evaluation contest, and Gavelier Sulaiman Shah for the humorous speech contest. Gavelier Shaima Ashraf was the contest master for the table topics contest. Gavelier Husna Rahman was contest master for the international speech contest, while Toastmaster Ayesha Aijaz conducted the banner parade. Rahman presented certificates of appreciation to Mir Mohsin Ali for his commendable services in organizing the event and photojournalist K N Wasif for his support.
Rahman also presented mementos to Aloula Geojit Capital, Mawiyah Consultative Clinics and Saudico Electronic Systems for supporting the event. He along with Division A Gov. Abraham Daniel presented trophies to all the winners. Antonio Monter thanked all participants and organizers.
© Arab News 2011
