Indian cricket legend Kapil Dev was a surprise mystery guest at a special day planned for a lucky number of Dubai's construction site workers, at Dubai Scholars school.
The unannounced arrival of the sporting hero led to a good-natured mobbing at the weekend, as he spoke warmly about the vital contribution that his fellow countrymen were making towards the success of the Emirate.
The sports star's presence at the school capped an afternoon of fun, food and entertainment for the workers, which included five-a-side cricket and a special performance from the Dubai Scholars' dance troupe, which last month won the Dubai Rock Challenge for the second consecutive year.
Knockout cricket and football tournaments pitted teams against each other in friendly contests. Assisted by the school's sports coaches, the competitions progressed through elimination rounds, with those knocked out relaxing on the sidelines to cheer on their colleagues.
Enthusiastic cheering
Once the matches finished, Dev posed with the players to have their photos taken and addressed them with a speech in Hindi - a gesture which was much appreciated and greeted with enthusiastic cheering and applause.
Dev was responsible for captaining the Indian cricket team to its only Cricket World Cup in 1983, earning the plaudit "Indian Cricketer of the Century".
He is also one of the highest wicket-takers in test match history, but despite these impressive statistics, he remained keen to downplay the significance of his attendance at Friday's event. "This isn't about me, it's about these guys,"he said, speaking on the day.
Also in attendance was British painter Sacha Jafri. The renowned artist's work is regularly displayed in prestigious galleries, museums and royal palaces across the world.
Extremely popular with celebrities, Sacha's work is collected by such well-known individuals as Kevin Spacey, Bill Gates, John McEnroe and Prince Albert of Monaco.
Kapil and Sacha, two luminaries in their respective fields of sport and the arts, joined forces when the cricket star added his handprint to the artist's latest work. This piece celebrated the career of another famous player, Brian Lara, and was commissioned by Lords cricket ground in London.
The work already featured the handprints and signatures of other big names of the game, including Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Ian Botham, Sachin Tendulkar, Shane Warne and many others.
With Kapil's addition now completing the painting, it will be auctioned at a special gala charity dinner later this month and the funds donated to two causes - the Brian Lara Foundation and the local Shaikha Jameela charity.
In addition to money being raised, two artist proofs of Sacha's unique artwork are also to be distributed to children's wards at local
'Honoured'.
"I am very honoured to have been asked to play such an important role in today's proceedings and hope that I have begun to capture the spirit of the event in this new work,"said Sacha.
"It is also incredible to have been able to meet Kapil here in Dubai, as his handprint has now completed my latest creation, which celebrates the career of Brian Lara,"he said.
