Celebrities to spice up Dubai Desert Classic

Dubai: Indian actor R. Madhavan will be seen in a different role when he joins a star-studded cast at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic's Celebrity Challenge Match at the Emirates Golf Club on Tuesday.

An established star, Madhavan has featured in many successful and acclaimed films in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada, but not many have seen him swinging a golf club.

"I love playing the game and I love its never-ending challenges. In fact, you can experience the full gamut of human emotion while playing a round. And that makes it even more interesting," said the south Indian superstar.

Commented Mohammad Juma Bu Amim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi: "The celebrities from the world of sports and entertainment will add [more] excitement to the Challenge match.

Vying for attention

Sir Ian Botham, Waqar Younis, Frankie Dettori and famed comedian Jim Davidson are others who will join leading golfers — world number three Lee Westwood, Fred Couples, Thomas Bjorn, Mark O'Meara, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Jeev Milkha Singh — in the match which will follow the foursomes format.