New father Sheikh Salman bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Bahrain's latest motor racing champion, is hoping to see the rebirth of Formula One in the Kingdom so aspiring young drivers can follow their dreams.
The Bahrain Grand Prix was cancelled this year due to unrest in the country and Sheikh Salman wants an early return.
"I just hope that F1 comes back to Bahrain soon," said Sheikh Salman, who last season won the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.
"We've become used to having the F1 circus in town. It's very important for Bahrain and we just need to have the conditions that make it possible for it to return.
"There's a great passion for cars and for motorsport in Bahrain. We love racing at every level, particularly F1. Over the last few years youngsters have grown up here dreaming of being the next [Fernando] Alonso or [Lewis] Hamilton."
After capturing the Porsche GT3 Cup, Sheikh Salman is determined to keep improving as a driver, although a familiar rival will be waiting when the 2011/12 series starts alongside November's Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Prince Abdulaziz Al Faisal pushed him all the way before the Bahraini wrapped up the championship in the final round at Dubai Autodrome in April, and the Saudi Arabia driver is gaining more experience in Europe this summer.
"Of course I saw that he won an FIA GT race in Portugal and that he also competed in the Le Mans 24 hours," Sheikh Salman said. "The win was a very special achievement for Abdulaziz, who is an ambassador for this region."
Sheikh Salman recently became a father for the first time, naming his new born son Rashid after his father. "I might be losing some sleep at nights but overall I'm very happy," he said. "A lot of other drivers find a balance between racing and family life so that won't be a problem."
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
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Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk
“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”
“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”
“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”
“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”
