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Sachin's Complete Speech.... "Friends please settle down, I'll get

more emotional! It's hard to believe my wonderful journey is coming

to an end. I've a list of names to thank. The first is my father,

who passed away in 1999. Without his guidance I wouldn't bestanding in front of you. he said 'chase your dreams, don't give

up, the path will be difficult.' I miss him today. My mom, I don't

know how she managed a naughty child like me. She just prayed

and prayed from the day I started playing the game. For four

years I stayed with my uncle and aunt when in school, they treated

me like their own son. My eldest brother Nitin doesn't like to talk

,much but he said, whatever you do, I know you will give 100%. Myfirst cricket bat was presented to me by my sister Savita. She

still continues to fast while I bat. Ajit my brother - We have lived

this dream together, he sacrificed his career for me, he took me

to Achrekar sir first. Even last night he called me to discuss my

dismissal. Even when I'm not playing we will still be discussing

technique. If that hadn't happened, I would have been a lesser

cricketer. "The most beautiful thing happened to me when I met

Anjali in 1990. I know that being a doctor there was a big career

in front of her. But she decides that I should continue playing and

she took care of the children. Thanks for bearing with me for all

the nonsense I've said (Anjali wipes tears). Then the two precious

diamonds of my life Sara and Arjun. I've missed out on several

birthdays, holidays. I know for 14-16 years I've not spent enough

time with you. But I promise you I will spend the next 16. "My

inlaws - I've discussed several things with them. The most

important thing they did was allow me to marry Anjali. In the last

24 years my friends have made terrific contributions. They have

been with me while I was stressed. They have been with me even

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at 3am when I was injured. Thanks for being there for me. "My

career started when I was 11. I was extremely delighted to see

Achrekar sir in the stands. I used to ride on his scooter and play

two matches a day. Sir took me along to make sure I played. On alighter note, Sir never said 'well played' because he didn't want

me to be complacent. You can push your luck now, Sir, since I'm

not playing crickter anymore. "I started my career here in

Mumbai. I remember landing from NZ at 4am and playing a Ranji

game the next day. The BCCI was fantastic from my debut.

Thanks to the selectors. You were right with me making sure my

treatment was taken care of. "Thanks to all the senior cricketerswho have played with me. We see on the screen Rahul, VVS,

Sourav, Anil who is not here. All the coaches. I know when MS

presented the 200th Test cap, I had a message to the team - I

said we are all so proud to be representing the nation. I hope to

continue to serve the nation with dignity. I have full faith that you

will serve the country in the right spirit. I will be failing in my

duty if I didn't thank the doctors who have kept me fit. Given the

injuries I have suffered. They have treated me in odd hours. My

dear friend the late Mark Mascarenhas. I miss him. My current

management team WSG, for continuing what Mark has done.

Someone who has worked closely with me for 14 years is my friend

Vinay Nayudu. "The media has backed me a lot, since my school

days. Even today. Thank you. Thanks to the photographers for

capturing those moments. "I know my speech has become long. I

want to thank people who have flown in from different parts of the

world. I want to thank my fans from the bottom of my heart.

"Sachin, Sachin" will reverberate in my years till I stop breathing."

Good Bye