English football legend David Beckham received a grand reception during his inaugural visit to India, courtesy of the esteemed Ambani family. Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani, along with their children Isha and Akash, joined by Shloka Mehta and Radhika Merchant, extended a warm welcome to Beckham at their opulent residence, Antilia, in Mumbai.
The Ambanis presented the revered footballer with a personalized Mumbai Indians jersey bearing the name ‘Beckham,’ commemorating his visit to the city. Capturing the moment, a snapshot featuring the Ambani family and Beckham proudly displaying the ‘1 Beckham’ jersey surfaced, capturing the essence of the exclusive rendezvous.
In a blend of sportsmanship and camaraderie, Beckham, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, graced the recent World Cup semi-final match where India clinched victory against New Zealand. His presence alongside cricket luminary Sachin Tendulkar added fervor to the exhilarating game.
An enthralling highlight included Beckham’s interaction with Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma, who, in a gesture of goodwill, exchanged jerseys. Rohit presented Beckham with an Indian jersey, reciprocated by the football maestro with a Real Madrid jersey—a nod to Beckham’s illustrious stint with the Spanish football club from 2003 to 2007.
Yesterday, the Wankhede Stadium witnessed the camaraderie between Akash Ambani and Beckham as they cheered from the stands during the match. Notably, Bollywood luminaries Kiara Advani, Sidharth Malhotra, and Ranbir Kapoor also graced the event, adding star-studded allure to Beckham’s Indian sojourn.
Moreover, Bollywood royalty Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja hosted a lavish welcome bash for Beckham at their Mumbai residence. Celebrities including Anil Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar, and Karishma Kapoor commemorated the evening with shared moments alongside the football icon.
Expressing his enthusiasm for the visit, David Beckham shared, “I have been waiting for a long time to come to India. This is my first time here, and I was looking forward to it. My work with UNICEF began a long time ago… With UNICEF, we focus on boys and girls, but our main focus is on girls at the moment.”
Beckham’s maiden visit to India has not only been a celebration of sportsmanship but also a testament to fostering global partnerships in philanthropy and advocacy, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural tapestry of Mumbai.
Sources By Agencies
