The teams competing in the Asian Cup are uniting us all

Our readers have their say about football, saffron, Yemen and cricket

Ali Adnan, right, of Iraq in action against Nguyen Trong Hoang of Vietnam during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group D match in Abu Dhabi. Ali Haider / EPA

I write in reference to your online article 'Iraq was a tragedy in 2007, but we gave the people hope' says Asian Cup hero (January 7). I'd like to wish the Iraq team good luck. Our hearts are with you, our national team.

Marwan, Iraq

It is often said that the success of an event can be measured by the stories we tell about it.

Jason Maidwell, head of digital, Asian Football Confederation

Saffron could help us, if drug companies would allow it

I write in reference to your article Saffron may contain cancer-beating properties, UAE research finds (January 8). In truth, turmeric, holy basil, garlic root and beetroot have all been around for centuries with real medicinal properties but they do not bring in money for large pharmaceutical companies.

Name withheld by request

I’m sure it is very helpful – if you can afford it, that is.

Dianne Haffner, US

Houthi aggression means peace remains distant

I write in reference to your article Arab Coalition warns Houthis are not committed to Sweden peace deal (January 8). Sometimes it seems as though the Houthis need chaos to prosper. Unless they are fully controlled, peace in Yemen will be a distant dream.

Name withheld by request

Kudos to India’s mighty cricket team and captain

I write in reference to your article India's pace attack among the best after Australia series win (January 8). Chitrabhanu Kadalayil and Paul Radley's article was an interesting read.

The victory of the Indian cricket team in its first series against Australia, on their soil, was a truly great achievement for the team’s captain Virat Kohli.

The Indian team’s pace attack and Kuldip Vadav’s wonderful bowling certainly contributed heavily to

India’s victory.

It was great to see Kohli complimenting his team afterwards and I am personally thrilled about the victory. Kudos to Kohli and his team for this enormous achievement.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru

Sand in your shoes is no longer an irritation

I refer to your article Emirati shoe designer uses sand from the Emirates in her new heels (January 8).

This is an interesting development. I suppose it’s the first time people actually want sand in their shoes.

Saed Elayan, Dubai