This was a pretty unusual Sunday. The weather was just right. A continuous drizzle guaranteed everyone
stayed at home. It was also the day when two of the most prestigious
tournaments reached their respective climaxes. The gentlemen’s finals at the
Wimbledon tournament and the finals of the cricket world cup world cup would be
contested that day.
Sport is perceived differently by different people. Some people
see sports as an art. It takes time, dedication, and talent to get as far as
professional sport. The plays put out on the field are nothing short of a
master piece. The coaches are taking their best people and turning them in to
something that makes spectators sit back in awe of. The mid field general
delivering an inch perfect pass to the centre forward waiting at the edge of
the box. The graceful golf swing that causes the ball to soar down the fairway,
straight as an arrow with no divots has majesty to it. Or for that matter the spectacular
six hit off the last ball to earn a spectacular victory.
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Sport is a celebration of the human spirit. All that is pure in
the human experience. The pressures and challenges of everyday existence pale
into insignificance Kirit Maganlal the founder of Magsons watched both the
games that day. He loves his sailing and cycling. He said “Sport invigorates
you and gets you out of the mundane issues that make life complicated. The
adrenaline rush watching sport is welcome and largely it gives you a totally
new perspective on day to day life. It makes you forget all the hassles. More
importantly it is possibly the only activity that unites humanity. There are no
religious divides here. Everyone is equal here”.
For others like jeweller Vikram Verlekar the sheer occasion was
very humbling. He said “How can one miss such events. I just sat and watched
google eyed at the proceedings”. Preferring to talk about the cricket match he
said it was one of the most thrilling matches he had ever watched with both teams
putting up a spectacular performance under tremendous pressure.
However, like everything in life, the English he said had luck
which is always important to have. He went on to say “What a Sunday it was
possibly cricket at its very best. India is a cricket loving country, and one
cannot ask a better world cup final. I was a heart stopping moment for all the
fans. England had its day. It will always be remembered in history. A day which
will never be forgotten. For long time English resident, John Pollard it was a
magnificent day what with his country of birth now having another tournament
win to crow about apart from 1966. Speaking however about the importance of
sport in the larger picture he said “It transcends politics and prejudices (or
should do) and helps people live for the moment. It makes you feel more alive.
Helps you forget about the world going to the dogs (for me). Saw both matches,
I was continuously flicking between.
SO what does sports teach us. Sport gives people a purpose and
stirs the emotions. Not in the ways that politics do but, in a way, to aspire.
Although we must be careful and not blindly follow due to our partisan ways. We
must be “sporting “ in our participation and support too. And keep politics far
far away. There is nothing sporting and fair about politics”. Sport teaches us
to embrace one another afterwards and celebrate together.
One
time realtor and now in midst of re-organising his life, Kulashekhar Kantipudi
said sport taught people that one could reach absolute rock bottom and make it
back. It also showed us , he said how we all ought to be living , as equals. He
said “Out on the field whether you are rich or poor or whatever caste you
follow, you are all equal. That is the greatest humbling truth that sport can
teach humanity”.
