The game of basketball took on a deeper meaning this year; over 1,500 youth across North America experienced and exhibited the values of unity, brotherhood, and teamwork. The annual regional Yogi Cup Sports Tournaments for kishores (age 14-22) fostered the principles dear to Yogiji Maharaj: Samp (unity), Suhradbhav (solidarity), and Ekta (oneness). These principles formed the foundation for this event, and kishores were constantly enveloped in these ideals throughout their experience.
The tournament helped intertwine the satsang ideals learned during regular Sunday kishore sabhas with interpersonal skills such as teamwork, leadership, and positive attitude. The morning and evening programs were on topics such as antardrashti (introspection), prarthana (prayers), vishvas (faith), and moksha (liberation). These topics were presented in a way that allowed kishores to apply them directly to their life. Along with life applicable teachings, kishores also partook in daily rituals of arti and chesta during the event. Perhaps, one of the most important aspects of the tournament was its ability to bring youths together; kishores who live thousands of miles apart came together to build lifelong connections.
His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, current spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, continues to build on the vision set forth by HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj of encouraging youth to be involved in all aspects of the organization. Events like this tournament create an environment for youth to grow together in their pursuit of satsang.