International tennis star Tomáš Berdych inaugurates new AUS tennis courts

Currently ranked number 14 in the ATP rankings, renowned international tennis star Tomá Berdych inaugurated the new outdoor tennis courts at American University of Sharjah (AUS) yesterday, March 4. The Czech star also played a few friendly games against AUS students, faculty and staff, including Chancellor Dr. Björn Kjerfve. The event was held as part of the AUS Alumni and Corporate Sports Day 2017.

Dr. Kjerfve, welcomed the attendees and said, "It is an honor to have Tomas Berdych, an internationally accomplished player inaugurate the new tennis courts here at AUS. We hope that the students, faculty and staff enjoy these new facilities. Addressing the alumni present on the occasion, Dr. Kjerfve said, "The university exists for the sake of the students, and we hope that when they graduate and become alumni that they will keep coming back to AUS."

"I'm happy to be part of this beautiful community where the university not only places emphasis on education but also equally on sports activities to enrich the students' university experience," said Berdych. Accompanied by the Chancellor, the tennis star also took a tour of the campus where he met with AUS students, faculty and staff.

Organized by the Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs, theAlumni and Corporate Sports Day engages alumni and their employers with the AUScommunity. Around 350 people attended the annual, day-long sports festival. Tenteams took part in a football tournament, with Chalhoub Group emergingchampions, while seven competed in a cricket tournament where Aramex triumphed.A representative from Dufry Sharjah finished first in the event's 4K Fun Run.

Other activities for the day included a boot camp session andZumba for women and children. Raffle prizes, music, food and a variety of funactivities for children, including a bouncy castle, were also organized throughthe day. Companies that participated in the event included Dufry, DowChemicals, Bee'ah, and Fast Contracting.

The AUS Alumni and Corporate Sports Day 2017 was sponsored by AllPrints, Crescent Petroleum, Emirates Global Aluminium, and Petrofac, and wassupported by Al Jubail Market, Abela, AGMC, Plaza de Party, Shift Electronics.