Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
INSPIRATIONAL schoolboy Shayaan Qureshi,known as Master True Grit for his never-say-never attitude despite being bornwithout arms, experienced a dream come true at the Bahrain InternationalCircuit.
The five-year-old British School of Bahrainpupil, who writes, cycles and swims recently told GulfWeekly that he dreams ofone day becoming a F1 driver.
On Thursday afternoon, during a special pitlane walk, Shayaan and his father Omer, 41, an employee at Gulf PetrochemicalIndustries Company, were invited by the Bahrain Economic Development Board tomeet his favourite team McLaren.
Shayaan’s eyes lit up the moment he steppedinto the paddock, admiring the garages and running ahead of his father to catcha glimpse of as many drivers as he could.
Omer and Shayaan were greeted by McLaren’sguest ambassador Peter Steyner and watched as the race team’s crew prepared forthe weekend’s action.
Shayaan and Omer also strolled down the pitlane where they saw legendary seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher andhad their photograph taken with Indian driver Narain Karthikeyan of the HRT F1Team.
Proud dad Omer said: “It was a fabulousexperience and one Shayaan will remember forever.”
And who knows, his dream of driving aracing car may one day become a reality as the motor sport is renowned for itstechnological advances.
Physically challenged athletes have beenmaking headlines and breaking barriers all over the world. For example, SouthAfrican Oscar Pistorius, better known as the ‘Blade Runner’ and the ‘fastestman on no legs’ was born with a congenital absence of the fibula in both legsand his legs were amputated halfway between his knees and ankles.
He has qualified for the London Olympicstwice and aims to qualify again in June to officially book himself a flight toEngland.
