Bahrain honoured to have Tendulkar for F1 night race

Cricket may not be a popular sport in Bahrain but the small Gulf nation is honoured to have batting legend Sachin Tendulkar for its first Formula One night race here this weekend.

The government-backed Bahrain Circuit (BIC) has confirmed that motorsports enthusiast Tendulkar will watch the race Sunday.

It was earlier reported that he will be visiting Bahrain with his family on the invitation of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister

"Sachin Tendulkar has been invited to the Kingdom of Bahrain by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister. We are tremendously honoured to have him at our Grand Prix," BIC National Press Officer Mohamed Shareeda told PTI in an email response.

Tendulkar's love for F1 is not new. It was none other than seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher who handed him over the keys of a Ferrari for equalling Don Bradman's record of 29 hundreds in 2002.

The famed duo was last seen together at the inaugural Indian Grand Prix in 2011 when Tendulkar waived the chequered flag.