MANAMA // There are some fans who will go the extra mile for their favourite team or player. Colin Spence is no different - only he goes the extra 3,500 miles.
Colin, 25, arrived here in Bahrain from London at 8.30pm on Wednesday and returns this morning - for a 7,000 mile trip that has cost him more than £1,000 pounds (Dh5,500).
But after watching Stephen Hendry sail through his Bahrain Championship quarter-final 5-2 against Robert Milkins at the International Conference Centre in a high-quality match here he feels that the journey - and the expense - was well worth it.
Colin, who works in the HR department for BAE Systems in London, has been a snooker fan since his parents bought him a little table 10 years ago. He has been to a few tournaments in Britain but, because of the game's popularity, found it difficult to get tickets.
So when he heard this tournament was taking place he raided his building society account, bought an airline ticket, booked a hotel and, purchased a ticket for yesterday's play.
"My friends and family think I am crazy," he said. "They can't understand why anyone would spend so much money to watch a few frames of snooker. But I love the game and this was a rare opportunity to see a match close up and meet some of the players."
As well as meeting Hendry et al he also met Mandy Hendry, the wife of the seven-time world champion. She too thought him crazy. "You must be a real dedicated fan. That's not to say I don't think you are mad," she told him, with a laugh.
Hendry, Stephen that is, has been on top form this week, but he could only sit and watch as Milkins started the quarter-final with a break of 137.
But the next two frames were vintage Hendry. Breaks of 113 and 132 put him 2-1 ahead and he increased that lead to 4-1 with breaks of 43 and 56. Although Milkins got back on the scoreboard with a 72 in the sixth frame the Scot sealed things with a 62.
"I'm very pleased with the way I am playing," he said.
"I can feel my confidence growing with every win. I'm certainly enjoying it here."
Today's semi-final opponent will be Matthew Stevens, who beat fellow Welshman Dominic Dale 5-2. It promises to be a cracker as both players are in good form.
"I have watched Stephen play a couple of times here and he is cueing really well," said Stevens.
"But then again so am I now, so it should be a good match."
cwhebell@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
THE BIO
BIO:
Born in RAK on December 9, 1983
Lives in Abu Dhabi with her family
She graduated from Emirates University in 2007 with a BA in architectural engineering
Her motto in life is her grandmother’s saying “That who created you will not have you get lost”
Her ambition is to spread UAE’s culture of love and acceptance through serving coffee, the country’s traditional coffee in particular.
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company%20Profile
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The specs
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Power: 640hp at 8,000rpm
Torque: 565Nm at 6,500rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: From Dh1 million
On sale: Q3 or Q4 2022
Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
Nick Coleman
Jonathan Cape
57%20Seconds
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21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Asia Cup Qualifier
Final
UAE v Hong Kong
TV:
Live on OSN Cricket HD. Coverage starts at 5.30am
The%C2%A0specs%20
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Dubai World Cup Carnival card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
The National selections:
6.30pm - Ziyadd; 7.05pm - Barney Roy; 7.40pm - Dee Ex Bee; 8.15pm - Dubai Legacy; 8.50pm - Good Fortune; 9.25pm - Drafted; 10pm - Simsir
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Company%20Profile
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First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Dubai World Cup factbox
Most wins by a trainer: Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor(9)
Most wins by a jockey: Jerry Bailey(4)
Most wins by an owner: Godolphin(9)
Most wins by a horse: Godolphin’s Thunder Snow(2)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome