Emotional World cup moment
The 46 year old Indian former player Sachin Tendulkar received Laureus Award for best sporting moment for the last 20 years. It happens in 2011 when India lift the World cup after 28 years under MS Dhoni. It was Tendulkar’s sixth and last World cup match where his long term dream finally happens. When skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed Sri Lankan pacer Kulasekara’s ball out of the park for a winning six.
The uncontrollable Indian cricketers rushed to the ground for celebration. Soon they lifted Tendulkar on their shoulders and made a lap of honour, an emotional moment for every players and cricket fans. The moment was voted as the Laureus best sporting moment for the last 20 years. Tendulkar got the maximum number of votes to emerge as winner with the help of Indian cricket fans.
Laureus Award won by Tendulkar
Tendulkar received the trophy from Former Australian skipper Steve Waugh while tennis legend Boris Becker announced the winner at a glittering ceremony.
“It’s incredible. The feeling of winning the world cup was beyond what words can express. How many times you get an event happening where there are no mixed opinions. Very rarely the entire country celebrates,” Tendulkar said after receiving the trophy.
“And this is a reminder of how powerful a sport is and what magic it does to our lives. Even now when I watch that it has stayed with me.”
When Becker asked to share the emotion he felt at that moment and the Indian legend put in perspective how important it was for him to hold that trophy.
“My journey started in 1983 when I was 10 years old. India had won the World Cup. I did not understand the significance and just because everybody was celebrating, I also joined the party.
“But somewhere I knew something special has happened to the country and I wanted to experience it one day and that’s how my journey began.”
“It was the proudest moment of my life, holding that trophy which I chased for 22 years but I never lost hope. I was merely lifting that trophy on behalf of my countrymen.”
“This is a reminder of how powerful sport is and what magic it does to all of our lives.”
A God for a nation. An inspiration worldwide.
And an incredible speech from the Laureus Sporting Moment 2000 – 2020 winner, the great @sachin_rt 🇮🇳#Laureus20 #SportUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/dLrLA1GYQS
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) February 17, 2020
Impact on Nelson Mandela
He met revolutionary South African leader Nelson Mandela when he was just 19 year old. Tendulkar also shared the impact he had on him while receiving the award.
“His hardship did not affect his leadership. Out of many messages he left, the most important I felt was that sport has got the power to unite everyone.
“Today sitting in this room with so many athletes, some of them did not have everything but they made the best of everything they had. I thank them for inspiring youngsters to pick a sport of their choice and chase their dreams. This trophy belongs to all of us, it’s not just about me.”
