(MENAFN - The Peninsula) QNA

DOHA: The Tournament Director of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open Karim Alami on Saturday received the award for best competition in the 250 points category for the year 2017 from the ATP during a ceremony held at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.
It is the second time that Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) has scooped up the award which is based on the votes of the players.
The previous award was won by QTF in 2016.
ATP Tour Supervisor Lars Graff handed the award to Alami during the final day of the competition.
President of Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) Nasser Al Khelaifi was present when the Tournament Director received the trophy from Graff.
The Tournament Director expressed his delight that Qatar ExxonMobil Open managed to win the honour for another year.
'It was a result of the big efforts made by the organizing committee headed by QTF President Nasser Al Khelaifi, Alami, a former ATP Tour player, said.
'The award will be a big boost to all who work on organizing the tournament. The staff will continue to do their best going forward, he added.
He said ATP Tour players voted for Qatar ExxonMobil Open because they get a good experience when they participate in the tournament that provides the players with every comfort they need to win.
He added that it was no surprise that the tournament received the accolade, given that each year sees a host of the top-ranked players taking part in the event.
The competition also has the highest prize money in its category which helps add more coverage from regional and international broadcasters.
The latest study showed that 150 million homes around the world watched the event this year. Local print media and television have been covering the competition since it began in 1995.
The day of the final clash also saw chief of umpires at Qatar ExxonMobil Open Ashraf Hamouda receive a gold badge, becoming the first Arab umpire to achieve the feat. Gold badge is the highest rank for any umpire.
It is usually given to those umpires who officiate in Grand Slam finals. Hamouda expressed his delight after being acknowledged as the top chair umpire.
He noted that there weren't any errors this year on the part of the participating umpires nor were there any complaints from the players. A total of 100 people officiated this year's matches, he informed.

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