THE REAL SPIRIT OF SPORTSMANSHIP

 
To the All India Cricket Team which was going to England, Baba gave the following message on 2nd April, 1954, at Guruprasad, Poona:

In going to England to represent India in the field of sport you have also the unique opportunity of yourselves practising, and of conveying to the people there, the great spiritual lessons of concentration and love. When you take the field, if you play as all men with one heart, each enjoying excellence of performance in another player as he would in himself, whether that player is on your side or on the side of the opposing team, and so eliminating feelings of jealousy, anger and pride which so often mar sport, you will not only be entertaining the spectators, but demonstrating the real spirit of sportsmanship.

True sportsmanship is concentrated ability enlivened with appreciation of the performance of others. And when this is manifested, every one, both players and spectators, receive spiritual upliftment as well as good entertainment.

Some of you are "all-rounders". I am the greatest spiritual "all-rounder" of all times, because I feel equally at home with Saints, yogis, philosophers and cricketers, as well as with the so-called sinners and scoundrels. I give you my blessing that in all your actions you show forth the spirit of Love.