Baba then entered the main hall and Vasantrao Deshpande sang Indian classical music for about 20 minutes. Afterward Mohan-Saigal sang ghazals, which Baba especially enjoyed. Then everyone sang Baba's arti, and those leaving that day embraced him.
After lunch, Baba sat on the verandah surrounded by his lovers. The main hall was completely vacated, as Baba had agreed to distribute trophies that day to several cricket teams of the Poona District Cricket Association. The different teams collected in the hall about 1:45 P.M. Many local people were also invited. Baba sat on his usual divan, with the trophies and certificates on a table to his left. Several newspaper reporters and photographers were there to cover the event. Baba stated:
This is the first time I have taken part in such a function. There are two reasons for it. The first, that I was born in Poona, Maharashtra. The other is that from my childhood I have been very fond of cricket. Spiritually, I am the Universal Being. I always like to watch cricket matches, but people do not allow me to do so in peace.
Once, I was invited by the mayor of Ahmednagar to witness a good match. It was one of the Ranji Trophy matches. When I reached there, the mayor was waiting for me with a garland and behind him was his whole entourage, who had my darshan one after another. People began to crowd around me and finally I had to leave without having seen the match.
At 2:00 P.M., Sadashiv Palsule, the secretary of the Poona District Cricket Association, garlanded Baba, introduced him to the members of the executive committee and gave a short speech. He said the winners would not only be receiving trophies, but also the blessings of the Avatar, Meher Baba. After his speech, Baba distributed trophy cups, shields and merit certificates to the captains of the teams. Eruch read out Baba's message to the cricket players:
I am happy to present these trophies today. When I was a boy in school and college, I played cricket. Now I play my divine Universal Game which includes cricket, and so I am still fond of that game.
It is good to excel in whatever one takes up, so long as there is a feeling of humility with this excellence, for this leads to love of God, and to love God as He should be loved is the best excellence. I give you my blessing that one day each of you may have this love.