Bahrain cab driver Gibin ‘Becks’ George is bonkers about football celebrity David Beckham and has even named his only son after the star.
The 30-year-old Indian expatriate, who works for Arabian Taxi, has created a shrine at his home in Kerala in honour of the ‘face’ of next year’s FIFA World Cup Finals being staged in the Gulf region.
“I love everything about Beckham,” admitted Mr George, who said he first became besotted with the retired footballer as a schoolboy when he watched him score a last-gasp winner for England in a vital World Cup tie back in 2002.
“I was only 11 at the time but I’ve been a huge fan ever since. I was so inspired by the way he took free kicks, his hairstyle and his tatoos.
“I started reading about him and took a greater interest in football – I played the game but I am not a great player like my hero.
“I vowed to myself that later in life I would name my child after him.”
Mr George kept his promise. He married 19-year-old Nelgeena in 2018, who at that time, knew nothing about her man’s obsession with Beckham. But now, the 22-year-old part-time student and mother of her own bouncing baby boy Beckham, is proud of her husband’s admiration for the celebrity who nowadays is an astute businessman, club owner and charity worker.
“God gave me a son and I fulfilled my wish after my wife agreed with me, despite opposition from our larger family who were concerned that it didn’t match the types of names usually used in our area,” said Mr George.
“My wife did not know who David Beckham was when we first got married. She has stood by me in naming our son after the man who I admire and adore.”
His family property in Thrissur, Kerala has a rooftop set aside to celebrate the retired footballer and the England football team. Big cut-outs and posters feature on the façade of their humble home. His motor scooter has also been decorated with soccer stickers.
Mr George has been living in Bahrain for 10 years and worked with an Arabic newspaper prior to joining the taxi company.
He goes under the social media handle of beckham_gibin and remembers fondly that the first picture of his son captured on his mobile was sent to the star on Instagram as a message. He is also thrilled that it had been delivered, though he’s not sure if the celebrity has actually seen it.
“He has not replied to me yet but, I know he is a star and that he might have thousands of messages reaching him daily,” he said.
“In the meantime, I keep telling anyone from England who rides in my cab about my admiration for Beckham.
“My greatest dream in life is to meet him one day and show him a video of my own young Beckham playing football. I want my son to play the game like Beckham and grow up to be a man like him who actively champions charities and good causes.”
Playing with his football is the favourite pastime of the bustling two-year-old and Mr George watches him in action every time he makes a video call back home.
Mr George’s respect for the superstar is not limited to an appreciation for Beckham’s 20-year football career. Mr George was 22 when the player retired in 2013 and remembers that he was ‘sad’ that he would never see Beckham in the flesh on the field of play.
Beckham came to prominence playing for Manchester United and married Spice Girls singer, Posh Spice Victoria. The couple has four children.
He has been a Goodwill Ambassador with a special focus on UNICEF’s Sports for Development programme since 2005. He also launched the David Beckham UNICEF Fund in 2015.
Never far from the news, Beckham recently signed a reportedly multi-million dollar deal to serve as an ambassador for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The last time Beckham flew into Bahrain was to watch a Formula One race and fingers crossed, he might call into the kingdom again soon, the driver hopes.“I’d love to pick him up in my taxi,” said Mr George. “I would give him a tour and show him the sites.”
raji@gdn.com.bh
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