7th World Summit on Ethics and leadership in Sports
24th July 2025, Basel
"The Future of Ethics in Sports, Business & Politics – Where
Values Meet Performance"
Dr. Sanjay Pradhan, President, World Forum for ethics in Business
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji,
Mr Mustafa Atici, Govt Council and Sports Minister of Basel
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Namaste, Good morning, Guten Morgen
It is a privilege and an honour to join you at today’s event, here in the vibrant and historic city of Basel.
Let me begin by expressing my sincere appreciation to the Government of Basel and the people of Switzerland for graciously hosting this important dialogue—especially as the city and the country proudly host the UEFA Women’s European Championship. Congratulations to the Swiss women’s team for their gritty and commendable performance.
I especially thank Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, whose tireless vision for an ethical, compassionate, and mindful world inspires us all. His lifelong dedication to value-based leadership—in sports, business, and public life—embodies the spirit of this summit.
The Father of our nation, Gandhi ji identified "Seven Social Sins" which are detrimental to humanity.
1. Wealth without work
2. Pleasure without conscience
3. Knowledge without character
4. Commerce without morality
5. Science without humanity
6. Religion without sacrifice
7. Politics without principle
In today’s world, when the pressures of competition risk overshadowing the principles that make sports such a powerful teacher of life, I would add another sin to the above list.
And it is- Sports without fair play or integrity
If there are no principles in life, there is no true north, nothing you can depend upon.
True greatness is built on integrity, respect, resilience, and fairness. These values guide athletes, coaches, and communities—and we must protect and promote them, especially as commercial and technological changes reshape the world of sports.
India shares this vision deeply. Our ethical traditions emphasize that right conduct is vital for both personal growth and societal well-being. Rooted in dharma—righteous duty—Indian philosophy champions integrity, self-restraint, and justice.
In sports, this means fair play and respect.
In business, it calls for transparency and responsible wealth creation.
In politics, it demands moral leadership and accountability.
Across all fields, ethics is not just about success, but about aligning individual actions with the greater good.
We believe ethics and excellence go hand in hand. Our athletes prove this—from Olympic podiums to local fields. The Indian government under PM Modi’s leadership is committed to building systems that nurture talent, uphold values, and ensure clean, fair, and inclusive sports.
Over the past decade, our sports ecosystem has seen major transformation. The National Sports Development Code plays a key role by ensuring transparency, accountability, and athlete participation in governance, while promoting democratic processes and sound financial practices.
India’s ambition to host global events, like the Commonwealth Games in 2030 and Olympics in 2036 reflects our commitment to transparency in organizing and related processes.
Friends, the future of ethics in sports, business, and politics depends on the choices we make today—through our policies, institutions, and values. India’s journey, marked by innovation and challenges, shows that commitment, transparency, education, and collaboration can build a more ethical society.
On behalf of the Embassy and the Government of India, I warmly congratulate the organizers and participants of this summit. May today’s dialogue inspire us all—leaders, policymakers, and athletes—to uphold sportsmanship and ensure a future where performance and principles go hand in hand.
May the spirit of fair play and ethical leadership we celebrate today guide us in every field of life.
Thank you.
