Letters to the editor ...

Dear Stan,
With reference to Vijay’s article last week on Boris Becker, I feel obliged to correct several inaccuracies.

1. Mr Becker had travelled from the US, through Europe and on to Bahrain overnight spanning several time zones over 24 hours. Upon arrival in Bahrain he went straight to the BTC and spent well over the allocated time with the children there, happily signing autographs and posing for photographs with them non stop. After a day full of further meetings without a rest, (by the way he did NOT mingle with the F1 drivers that day, it was the next!), he then spent the evening at a gala dinner where those who attended found him to be a relaxed, charming and witty person. So, “disinterested and making mandatory small talk”, not at all! Jet lagged, but still making the effort to chat and pose for further photographs...YES!
2. “In the grip of a mid age existential crisis” is Vijay’s comment about him. Well, having encountered several men in the grip of the aforementioned crisis, in my experience they tend to be overweight, balding and in their mid to late 40s. It’s hard to reconcile that with the image of Boris Becker, who at 39 is still fit, has more hair than most men his age, is a tennis legend, and is successfully running a variety of business interests.
3. “No twinkle in his eyes, no spring in his stride” was another comment. The people I am aware of who actually spent time talking to him would refute that and say he had a great sense of humour, and plenty of time and energy to sign autographs anytime, anywhere and for anyone, which incidentally is far more than can be said of the celebrities that do grace the shores of Bahrain from time to time!
Isn’t it sad that when we do get personable celebrities in Bahrain, coming here to potentially be involved in sports ventures that would benefit many children in the community, there’s always one journalist who has to knock them? “Sweet and sour” was the title of your article Vijay, what happened? Did Boris Becker not answer one of your questions to your satisfaction?
 Nadia Swan, Bahrain.

Dear Stan,
I would like to thank the Ithmaar Group and the Bahrain International Circuit for creating such a fantastic event as the Yalla Bahrain! F1 Football Fever. Although it was a celebratory event and one which raised valuable funds for charity, as well as an opportunity to become involved in the Formula One Grand Prix, we entered the competition with only one thing in mind: WINNING!
We made a promise to ourselves that we were not going to go home without the trophy and cash prize of BD1,000 for 1st place and, I am truly thankful to say, that’s exactly what happened.
I would like to congratulate the BBK1 team on their accomplishments and for being so dedicated and passionate throughout the tournament. Bringing home this trophy was not an easy task as we were playing against some of the most qualified players and teams of Bahrain. In taking part we have hoped to increase awareness of BBK as a financial institution and showcase the talents of our employees.
Finally, we at BBK would like to express our appreciation to the organisers of this event, who were able to coordinate 36 of the best Bahraini corporate teams playing alongside each other in one amazing tournament of such high standards. The pressure was on them and they delivered, and I truly hope everyone who came and watched enjoyed the competition as much as we did.
We hope to see more fantastic events from “Yalla Bahrain!” in the future!
Thank you Khalid Al Jaber, Head of Sports
Committee, Bahrain Bank of Kuwait.