Bolt and Thongchai were best of the year

TALKING SPORTS

We are coming to the end of another year and so much has taken place in 2009.

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt celebrates winning the men’s 100m final race in Berlin.

There have been economic recessions, market crashes, terrorism attacks and many unfortunate happenings and the omens for the coming new year aren't as auspicious we probably would have wanted them to be.

Nevertheless sports, the most important medium in our lives, has had its share of successes and failures. Promoters of professional sports have had their difficulties and successes and so have those in charge of amateur sports.

Without them, and the sponsors who have made treasured contributions, sports would never be as exciting, active and lively as we see today.

The world controlling bodies have played their roles as best as they can, though I still have my doubts whether all have acted fairly. Some have been carried away with their own ideology, while ignoring fair play. Perhaps the world controlling body for soccer, Fifa could be cited as the worst in this respect. The way they handled the Henry handball incident was atrocious. Ireland were let down.

Manny Pacquiao

Doping continues to be a major setback and some athletes are still using performance-enhancing substances to cheat and win at all costs. Bribery and corruption is another major menace rising its ugly head. It is worsening and causing tremendous hardship to sports organisers. They are battling against mafia, gangsters and others who are destroying sports competitions. Justice and fair play has taken a back seat.

What is worse, some players have fallen prey to match-fixers and those who are ruthlessly tarnishing the good name of sports.

Athletes and star players have also had their ups and downs. Some don't seem to understand that their bodies are not machines, that they cannot win matches and events all the time. They will have to lose too, because their bodies cannot face the strain and give out its best.

These are many ups and downs we have seen in sports. Many events are taking place where the lure for money makes athletes take part, even if their bodies can't take it.

Asian No 1 golfer Thongchai

Organisers and promoters of events want big names to attract crowds, hence they offer higher appearance money to draw them.

Taking all these factors into account, it is difficult to claim that it has been an oustanding year for sports. In fact the difficulties have been many and have kept increasing.

Of the international and professional athletes who shone this year, I would place Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt on top of the list. His progress has been well documented. As Britain's Dwain Chambers pointed out in an article in the Observer, Bolt was everything rolled in one. Ever since the Beijing Olympics he has been magnificent. He has won every race this summer.

Perhaps the only sportsman who could match up his feats is boxing's greatest champion Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines. He has taken all tough opponents and transformed them into pulp.

Pacquiao has made unshakeable, undeniable history.

With grits, guts and determination, and the blessings of God he has risen to the peak of performance and fame.

In Thailand, golfers Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng, undoubtedly top the list. I cannot think of any others who could fall into this category.