While most people have resolutions for the new year, i tend to make a list of sports events that would come my way over the next twelve months. Some of these are annual rituals ( tennis grand slams) while others have a biennial or quadrennial cadence. Tennis continues to be at the top of the "look forward to" list while cricket has taken a back seat with the game becoming more political than ever ( not just cricket for me). Chess on the other hand has moved up with faster time controls and "chess 960" coming into the spot light. Football will also take center stage this year with the big one coming around. The European leagues continue to have their place in the sun, especially if the title races go down to the wire. Badminton has gained a bit with regular telecasts and some interesting rivalries building ( India has lost its way a bit though with only Chirag and Satwik providing something to root about). F1 used to be high on the count but is no longer in the race as new faces haven't yet been able to match the big names of yore. Here goes the list ( in order of preference) that i will not relinquish the remote for my telly.
1) FIFA World Cup : The last dance for two of the most decorated footballers in history. One already has the trophy while the other needs a minor miracle to finish on a high. US, Mexico and Canada do the honors for an extended world cup. With 48 teams ( including names like Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan making their debuts), the spectacle may have a lopsided tinge to a few games. The usual suspects in Argentina, Brasil, Spain, Germany and France would be the favorites to lift the most sought after trophy on the planet but with one more knock out game compared to the last edition, odds for an upset are higher. Is this the time for England to add a name in the same league as Geoff Hurst? Or does one of the African nations add their names to the legend. Mid year can't come any sooner.
2) The tennis grand slams : When Roger retired, i didn't think i would be able to root for another tennis player so quickly. Carlitos has blazed his way through in quick time to take that spot though. If only he had a one handed backhand (sigh..). The last eight grand slams have been shared between him and the indomitable ginger head Italian. The big three have been replaced by the big two and the race to greatness is well and truly under way. Being talked about in the same vein as the Roger, Rafa and Novak before they have turned twenty five is testament enough to the Sincaraz rivalry and all one can hope for is that they remain injury free to regale us with more tennis majesty. Novak hasn't put in the towel yet and his beloved Rod Laver arena might be the best chance for getting to that elusive quarter century. Will he sill be here when 2027 comes around? That's a Serb and volley not many have an answer to.
3) The chess world candidates and world championship match : Classical chess isn't one to vie for eye-balls but the world championship still holds a certain attraction. The candidate list looks a little thin with no Alireza, Arjun or Nodirbek in the running but that's the beauty of sport. Its what you do over the board that counts and not your name. The two Americans start as the favorites but its Fabi over Hikaru for me if i had to bet on a clear winner. Gukesh will defend his crown that seems to sit heavy on his young head but don't count the fighter in him out yet. He is known to love a good scrap and will certainly start a favorite against a challenger who fights for the championship for the first time.
4) Athletic meets : While there is no big event scheduled for the year, i will keep an eye out for how the pole vault world record progresses with Mondo showing no signs of slowing down. Would Neeraj Chopra be able to cross 90m again? Would we see Gout Gout take the next step? How does Femke Bol manage the 800 m? Would Sydney Mclaughlin better one of the most controversial and long stand world records for the women's 400 m? Do we see anyone get close to the great Bolt's records in 100 and 200 m? A few intriguing stories will start to develop as we move past the half way mark to LA-2028.