New Delhi: Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar today paid heartfelt tribute to former South Africa president Nelson Mandela, saying the anti-apartheid icon was a "truly inspirational human being".
"When I met Mr Mandela it was one of the most memorable days of my life. A truly inspirational human being....," wrote Tendulkar on his twitter account.
"He will live on in my heart forever. R.I.P," he further wrote.
Madiba, as Mandela was fondly known, had been battling health issues in recent months, including a recurring lung infection that led to numerous hospitalisations.
Mandela, who emerged from prison after 27 years to lead South Africa out of decades of apartheid before becoming the country's first black leader, had faced several health scares.
His most recent hospital stay spanning over three months was his longest since he walked free in 1990.
Mandela is respected worldwide for his role in fighting racism in South Africa, and for forgiving his former white captors after his release from prison.
Other sportspersons worldwide have also mourned the death of Mandela.
Heavyweight boxing legend Ali said Mandela "taught us forgiveness on a grand scale".
FIFA chief Sepp Blatter called Mandela "one of the greatest humanists of our time" and Tiger Woods said he had been inspired by South Africa's anti-apartheid hero.
Australia and England held a minute's silence before play in the second Ashes cricket Test in Adelaide, a scene replicated by New Zealand and West Indies in Dunedine.
South African golf great Gary Player called Mandela "our beloved Father of the South African nation".
New Zealand's rugby players have always acknowledged the impact of Mandela, who inspired South Africa to victory over the All Blacks in the 1995 World Cup final.
India-SA ODI series named 'dedication to late Nelson Mandela'
India-SA ODI series named 'dedication to late Nelson Mandela'
Johannesburg: Doing its bit to honour Nelson Mandela, Cricket South Africa today named the ongoing ODI series against India as 'dedication to late Nelson Mandela' after the anti-apartheid icon passed away.
Late yesterday evening, South Africa was thrown into a solemn mood when it was announced that Mandela had passed away at the age of 95. The entire country is in mourning, for this is their biggest loss as a society.
Life goes on though, and Cricket South Africa has confirmed that the Indian tour, in particular the ODI series, will proceed as scheduled. The second ODI is slated to be played in Durban on Sunday, and both the teams have already reached there.
"As part of the greater South African family of former president Nelson Mandela, CSA expresses its sincere condolences to the family of Madiba, to the nation and the world," commented CSA President Chris Nenzani.
"His love for sport and his appreciation of what it could do to unify the country is legendary. He was a keen amateur boxer in his youth but he loved all sporting codes across the board and in it he saw the foundations for a healthy future for all the youth of the country.
"Nothing assuredly gave him greater pleasure than being part of the team that brought the FIFA World Cup to South Africa in 2010 and seeing what a wonderful celebration of sport, comradeship and humanity the tournament was. CSA dedicates the current series against the Indian team to the memory of Mandela," he added.
Mandela had been battling health issues in recent months, including a recurring lung infection that led to numerous hospitalisations.
Mandela, who emerged from prison after 27 years to lead South Africa out of decades of apartheid before becoming the country's first black leader, had faced several health scares.
His most recent hospital stay spanning over three months was his longest since he walked free in 1990.
Hockey fraternity observes 2-minute silence as mark of respect
Hockey fraternity observes 2-minute silence as mark of respect
New Delhi: The hockey fraternity today joined the world in mourning the death of Nelson Mandela by observing two-minute silence before the final two matches in the opening day of the Hero FIH Junior Men's World Cup at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, here today.
As a mark of respect to the departed soul of the former South African president, two-minute silence was observed before the start of South Africa-England and India-Netherlands matches.
Just before the mandatory national anthem ceremony the entire stadium stood up along with the teams, International Hockey Federation (FIH) and Hockey India officials to observe two-minute silence remembering the legendary anti-apartheid leader and Bharat Ratna awardee, Mandela, who passed away in Johannesburg today at the age of 95.
Mandela, who led South Africa's transition from white-minority rule in the 1990s and served 27 years in prison for his political activities, had been receiving intensive medical care at home for a lung infection after spending three months in hospital.
