Football star launches search for Bahraini Beckham

FOOTBALL SEARCH: Former England striker Les Ferdinand has launched a search for a Bahraini David Beckham. (Getty Images)

Former England football star Les Ferdinand has launched a search for a Bahraini David Beckham.

Airline Gulf Air has joined forces with Championship club Queens Park Rangers (QPR) to set up the project, which involves 20 local football clubs and top UK coaches.

The first phase of the project will involve a free five-day training camp at the Gulf Air Club, Salmabad, on November 30, run by professional coaches from QPR, Gulf Daily News reported on Friday.

"This initiative is about giving people, particularly children, the opportunity to not just come together and play football but also to learn about the benefits of teamwork," Gulf Air chief executive officer Bjšrn NŠf told the paper.

The project is part of Gulf Air's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative and is also linked to the airline's three-year sponsorship deal with QPR, signed in July, to scout and coach young talented Bahraini footballers.

Ferdinand, nicknamed "Sir Les" after being made a member of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2005, said he was delighted to support the project.

He believed it was only a matter of time before a player from Bahrain or the Gulf makes it into the English Premiership.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic. Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM