In a remarkable demonstration of how sports can benefit humanity, numerous retired cricket legends gathered at Sathya Sai Grama in Muddenahalli, near Bengaluru, for the second edition of the One World One Family Cup on Saturday.

The OWOF Cup is designed to promote humanitarian efforts by focusing on Nutrition, Health, and Education for all, and is part of the Cricket for a Cause initiative led by the Sri Madhusudan Sai Global Humanitarian Mission (SMSGHM).

This edition of the cup featured a notable match between iconic players from India and Sri Lanka, including Venkatesh Prasad, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Marvan Atapattu, Aravinda De Silva, Muthiah Muralitharan, Arjuna Ranatunga, and Chaminda Vaas, among others.

Elaborating on the vision behind this distinctive initiative, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, a Global Humanitarian and Spiritual Leader admired by many, stated, “The One World One Family Cup transcends the concept of a mere sporting event; it represents a united endeavor by the SMSGHM mission and the cricketing community to enhance the lives of millions lacking fundamental necessities such as education, health, and nutrition. Our goal is to create a meaningful impact through various innovative initiatives that ultimately advance the cause of humanity. I am thrilled that so many individuals took time from their busy schedules to convey a powerful message of unity, compassion, collective responsibility, and camaraderie that transcends borders.”

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, who officiated the match, stated, “This Cricket for a Cause event serves as a celebration of humanity and supports a mission that positively impacts millions of lives around the globe. In India, cricket transcends mere sport; it is regarded as a religion. There is no greater occasion than when cricketing legends unite to promote and uplift humanity. We express our gratitude to Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai for providing us with this remarkable opportunity to come together for exceptional cricket and a noble cause that spans 80 countries. We look forward to returning next year for the third edition of the One World One Family Cup.”

Venkatesh Prasad, Captain of One World (India), commented, “It was a tremendous joy to be back on the field and participate in a humanitarian effort. In this context, the outcome of the match is secondary, as the proceeds will aid those in need. We are honoured to collaborate with SMSGHM, which is committed to providing morning nutrition meals for children, as well as free healthcare and education for the underprivileged. Ultimately, our larger objective is to join the One World One Cup family to promote humanity and support the remarkable global initiative led by Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai.”

It is a privilege for the Sri Lankan cricketers to partner with SMSGHM and support vital initiatives in nutrition, education, and healthcare. This collaboration embodies our collective effort to serve humanity through the One World One Cup initiative. The match exemplifies how cricket can unite two nations and numerous individuals in the pursuit of a noble cause. We eagerly anticipate further opportunities to aid humanity through the sport of cricket, stated Marvan Atapattu, Captain, of One Family (Sri Lanka).

The 2025 One World One Family Cup features the inscription – vasudhaiva kuṭumbakam – signifying that the world is one family. Sri Madhusudan Sai also revealed the establishment of the Vishwanath-Gavaskar Cricket Academy for Boys at Sri Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli. This residential cricket academy, which will be provided at no cost to the boys on campus, is named in honour of the legendary cricketers, with selection based solely on merit and free of charge for deserving candidates.

Under the leadership of Venkatesh Prasad, One World (India) achieved a thrilling victory by a margin of 6 runs. However, in the spirit of One World One Family, this match had no losers—only winners brought together by their passion for the game and a shared dedication to humanity. In cricket, some may win while others may lose, but beyond the scoreboard, it is the relationships we foster and the message we promote that holds the greatest significance.

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