Sachin Tendulkar's 'Carried On Shoulders' World Cup 2011 Moment Wins Laureus Award

"This is a reminder of how powerful a sport is and what magic it does to our lives," Sachin Tendulkar said after his 'Carried on Shoulders' moment after India's World Cup triumph at home in 2011 won the Laureus best sporting moment in the last 20 years on Monday.

Tendulkar was shortlisted as one of the 20 contenders for the award, which was decided on the public vote. Thanks to the never-ending love from the Indian fans for the Little Master, he ended up getting the maximum number of votes and was honoured with the prestigious award.

The award was announced by tennis legend Boris Becker, while Tendulkar received the trophy from his Aussie rival and former captain Steve Waugh.

"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.

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," said Tendulkar, who had finally won the World Cup in 2011 at his sixth attempt.

On being asked by Becker to share his emotions after the historic win at the Wankhede Stadium on April 2, 2011, Tendulkar said," 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."

Tendulkar, who is the current leading run-scorer in international cricket even after being retired now, went on to share the impact the revolutionary South African leader Nelson Mandela had on him. Tendulkar met him when he was just 19 years old.

"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," the Indian icon further added in his speech after receiving the award.