By Abdul Rahman M. Baig
Jeddah – Members of Hope Toastmasters Club demonstrated the power of confidence, communication and public speaking at their Annual Club Speech Contest, held recently at Village Restaurant under the inspiring theme, “Rise to the Challenge” The event was particularly special as the club celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its journey of promoting effective communication, leadership and personal development.
The contest brought together members, former members and guests for an evening of inspiring speeches, friendly competition and fellowship. The contestants captivated the audience with their eloquence, humor, confidence and ability to deliver meaningful messages.
The contest began with the reading of the Toastmasters International mission, followed by the district mission, by Chief Sergeant at Arms, Gav. Mohammed Hussain & TM Safa Sheikh.
TM Azaharuddin Mohammed served as the Contest Chair and officially declared the contest open, warmly welcoming the Toastmasters and guests.
In his opening remarks, TM Azaharuddin reflected on his journey with the club, sharing that he had proudly represented Hope Toastmasters Club as a speech contestant for the past three years. This year, he had the privilege of taking challenge on a different responsibility as Contest Chair.
He also expressed how special it was to serve in this capacity during the club’s landmark 25th anniversary year, celebrating its legacy, achievements and valuable contribution to the Toastmasters community.
He appreciated the enthusiasm and participation of the contestants and members, noting that the event provided an opportunity to learn, share experiences and celebrate the spirit of effective communication. He added that serving as Contest Chair had given him a deeper appreciation of the dedication, teamwork and commitment required to organize a successful speech contest.
The competition began with the Humorous Speech Contest, in which seven contestants entertained the audience with their wit, spontaneity and humor. TM Basheer served as Chief Judge, while TM Wafa Saleem was the Contest Master. TM Syed Atif Ahmed secured first place, followed by TM Hassan A. Sandokji in second place and TM Aslam Qureshi in third place.
The Table Topic Speech Contest followed, challenging nine contestants to deliver impromptu speeches of one to two minutes on topics given on the spot. The contest tested their ability to think quickly, organize their thoughts and communicate effectively under pressure. TM Shuzha Hussain won first place, TM Shabbir Asath secured second place, and TM Syed Atif Ahmed finished third. TM Wafa Saleem served as Contest Master, while DTM Sara Ansari was the Chief Judge.
In the Evaluation Speech Contest, six contestants demonstrated their listening, analytical and communication skills by evaluating a test speech delivered by TM Unais K. TM Shabbir Asath won first place, followed by TM Bilal Ahmed Sarwar in second place and TM Aslam Javed Qureshi in third place. TM Mohammed Ryan served as Contest Master, while DTM Balasubramaniyan Vaidhyanathan was the Chief Judge.
The final event was the International Speech Contest, which featured eight contestants delivering five-to-seven-minute speeches on topics of their choice. The speeches inspired the audience with thought-provoking ideas and personal experiences. DTM Khaja Yaminuddin, District 104 Program Quality Director, served as the Chief Judge, while DTM Fatimah Azam Ali was the Contest Master.
TM Shabbir Asath emerged as the winner, with TM Bilal Sarwar securing second place and TM Hassan Sandokji taking third place.
The winners and first runners-up in the four categories will represent the club at the forthcoming Area 16 Contest, scheduled for January 1, 2027.
Celebrating 25 years of fellowship and achievement
Adding to the significance of the occasion, former and current members of Hope Toastmasters Club came together to celebrate the club’s silver jubilee. A cake-cutting ceremony marked the club’s 25 years of friendship, learning, leadership and contribution to the Toastmasters movement.
District Club Growth Director DTM Sameer Veeran encouraged members to renew their memberships and continue supporting the growth and vitality of the district.
TM Saheer Abdul Khader, Division H Director, and TM Sayed Mohamed Azmi, Area 15 Director also delivered inspirational messages. Both appreciated the contestants for their impressive performances and congratulated the club on organizing a successful annual contest.
Reflecting on his achievements, TM Shabbir Asath, who won the International Speech and Evaluation contests and secured second place in the Table Topics Contest, expressed his gratitude and happiness. He said, “Winning the International Speech and Evaluation Contests, alongside securing first runner-up in the Table Topics Speech Contest, is truly an honor and a deeply rewarding experience. Coming from District 82, I stepped away from competitions for almost two years before returning with all the lessons and techniques I had learned.
“From last-minute preparations to the adrenaline, nervousness and excitement before stepping on stage, every moment was special. I hope this achievement brings renewed hope and inspiration to Hope TMC, reminding everyone that it’s never too late to rise again.”
TM Syed Atif Ahmed, winner of the Humorous Speech Contest, also shared his excitement about the experience. He said, “What an amazing experience competing today in our Club Contest! Just a couple of weeks ago, I was seriously considering dropping out due to a lack of preparation time. However, I decided to keep going, and today I won the Humorous Speech Contest. “More than the joy of winning, this experience taught me one valuable lesson: ‘You only fail when you give up!'”
Appreciation and recognition
Addressing the gathering at the conclusion of the contest, Contest Chair TM Azaharuddin Mohammed congratulated all the winners and appreciated every contestant for their participation and dedication.
He emphasized that winning was an achievement, but having the courage to compete was a victory in itself. Facing an audience, challenging personal limits, building confidence and making a meaningful impact through words were equally important accomplishments.
Trophies and certificates were presented to the winners of all four contests in recognition of their achievements.
The Contest Chair also presented certificates of appreciation and gifts, sponsored by Ahmed Al Maghrabi Perfumes, to the contest role players in recognition of their valuable contributions and support.
He expressed his sincere gratitude to all members, guests, volunteers and role players who worked together to make the event a success. He also extended special thanks to Ahmed Al Maghrabi Perfumes for generously sponsoring the gifts and to Village Restaurant for its warm hospitality and excellent service.
TM Safa Karumara hosted the contest during the first session and TM Shihana Hassan during the second session. Both expressed their appreciation to the role players and everyone who contributed to the smooth conduct of the contest.
The contest concluded with a sumptuous lunch, providing members and guests with an opportunity to interact, share experiences and celebrate the occasion.
The theme, “Rise to the Challenge,” truly reflected the spirit of the event. Beyond the trophies and titles, the contest served as a reminder that public speaking is a journey of continuous learning, courage and self-improvement. Every participant who stepped onto the stage demonstrated that confidence grows when people are willing to challenge themselves.
As Hope Toastmasters Club celebrates 25 years of achievement and fellowship, the annual contest was not only a celebration of speaking talent but also a tribute to the members, past and present, whose dedication has helped keep the club’s spirit alive.
