New facilities will encourage cricketers

A reader says more expatriates should support local cricket in the UAE. Other topics: rap music, attacks on Indian women, polio and censorship.

A reader says more expatriates should support local cricket in the UAE. Pawan Singh / The National

Paul Radley is quite right to highlight both the outstanding achievements of the UAE cricket team and the almost complete indifference with which their excellent results have been greeted (Not enough local interest in cricket, January 12).

The problem with cricket in the UAE does not lie with the fact that the Emirati population is not interested in the game. The problem is that the very considerable populations from cricket-playing countries such as England, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand have shown little interest in playing the game.

In the UAE, cricket has been almost exclusively played by the Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan communities, who are very enthusiastic about the game and very good at it.

But it has always struck me as very strange that western expatriates support rugby union very vigorously – there are at least two thriving rugby clubs in Abu Dhabi and many more in Dubai – but cricket has been almost completely ignored.

I believe that, with excellent new facilities at both the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium and the Emirates Palace hotel, this is all about to change. Watch this space. David H Willis, Abu Dhabi

Comment reveals divisions in India

I am writing in reference to Amrit Dhillon’s commentary,

In view of these regular acid attacks on women and recent coverage of the many rapes of women in India, I find the outrage over the strip search of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade, who has been charged with two criminal offences in the United States, absurd.

Clearly this is an indication of the huge divide in India between those who are privileged and those who are not.

Maggie Hannan, Abu Dhabi

Cafes should hit the city heights

I refer to Owners in doubt over new law on shisha cafes (January 13).

Why not allow shisha bars on high rooftops? This would create a new attraction, keep the tradition within reach for tourists and allow smokers to overlook the skyline while contemplating life and the world while enjoying shisha.

This would be an innovative way to preserve tradition, boost tourism, protect businesses and keep the streets smoke free.

Name withheld by request

Globes judges got it right, and wrong

I was very happy with the Golden Globes results this year, and especially with the fact that 12 Years A Slave won the best motion picture – drama award.

I do think that Lee Daniels’ The Butler was snubbed, though. I thought it was a great film and that Oprah Winfrey’s performance was outstanding.

Sahahap, Thailand

Victory over polio worth celebrating

Polio-free India is 'great news for the entire globe' (January 13) was interesting to read.

We should applaud the fact that India has not recorded a single case of polio in the past three years.

Financial support and unwavering commitment from the government were given as the reasons for the eradication of the disease.

As a common man, I am happy about this. However, I would be happier if they could also eradicate corruption in this country.

K Ragavan, India

Rap shouldn’t be played in public

I agree with your reader, Isabella Brookes regarding the profanities in rap music aired in public places (Some films best left unscreened, January 14).

When my children were younger, I would take them to an ice rink for skating lessons. These sessions were often spoiled by the loud rap music with totally inappropriate lyrics being blasted at high volume across the rink.

Despite my complaints, the management refused to replace it or even turn the volume down.

People should be free to choose to see a movie with swearing and other adult content, but it is unacceptable to have bad language forced on you in a place where children are in the majority.

Name withheld by request

I think a limited amount of censorship is OK, but not so much that the entire movie becomes annoying.

Perhaps cinemas should increase the age limit for entrance to certain movies to 21, and follow strict identification procedures. Then some films could be screened unexpurgated.

Moiz SA, Sharjah