My own kids motivate me, says Becker

Dubai: Germany's tennis legend Boris Becker has admitted having kids of his own has driven his desire to reach out to underprivileged children around the world.

"The one motivation that keeps me going is the fact that I have four kids of my own and I know the power of making a difference through sports," Becker told a select gathering at the Dubai Mall on Monday.

"Sport gave me all the [opportunities] that [make me who] I am today. It's beautiful when they get together and play. The children learn about chemistry, about losing, about teamwork and about discipline," he said.

Becker became a proud father for the fourth time last month. His three other children are Noah (13), Elias (8) and Anna (7).

Becker, who is also vice chairperson of the Laureus World Sports Academy, was at the IWC Schaffhausen boutique in Dubai to launch the fourth limited edition watch the IWC Portuguese Automatic Edition that will benefit the Laureus Sports for Good Foundation charity.

Watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has joined forces with the Laureus Sports for Good Foundation, an organisation combinining sport and social commitment that sees the Swiss watch company give an amount of 500,000 euros (Dh2.5 million) for the cause.

"I am a proud father of four children and I know what it means to have [the opportunity to] pursue dreams," Becker said.

"As a father and a sportsman, I see it as my duty to support others with my wealth of experience," he added.

Limited edition

Only 1,000 limited edition watches, with the unmistakeable dial in Laureus blue, will go on sale

All buyers of the new watch will receive a free copy of the book ‘Let the Children Play' that was produced in 2007 by IWC Schaffhausen.

"I was a child once and I can speak in my chosen field of tennis and how I could be what I achieved as a tennis player due to these [opportunities] that I had when I was younger. Sports speaks an international language and it is a universal language that everyone understands," he added.