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Asia draws big names

SINGAPORE: Asia continued to attract top-shelf sporting events and big-name stars this year, with more of the same expected in 2009 as sponsors and marketers exploit opportunities on the huge continent.

Primarily, 2008 will be remembered for the Beijing Olympics, which was massively successful and set the benchmark for sporting events globally.

Aside from that, the key landmark was Singapore’s hosting of Formula One’s first-ever night race, around the city-state’s streets.

It was a year with plenty to keep fans happy, although the exploits of Asians on the world stage was muted.

The Olympics in August showed that China can successfully host the biggest event of all. Few thought it would be any different with the giant communist country pulling out all the stops to ensure it was roundly praised.

While its hosting capabilities were admirable, China also showed it boasts some of the best sportspeople on Earth, topping the medals table ahead of the United States for the first time.

But it was American swimmer Michael Phelps and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt who grabbed the headlines.

Phelps clinched a record eight gold medals in the pool, winning seven of them in world record times, while Bolt won gold and world records in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, another unprecedented feat.

Tiny Singapore revelled in its moment in the spotlight when it hosted a Grand Prix for the first time in September, winning lavish praise for a race won by Spain’s Fernando Alonso.

Commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone went as far as calling it the new jewel in the sport’s crown, while team owners said it would be a hard act to follow.

Australia, Malaysia, China, and Japan all hosted races again, with South Korea coming on board on 2010 and New Delhi in 2011.

The movers and shakers of equally money-rich golf also fixed their radar on Asia once again with no fewer than nine European co-sanctioned events in 2008 as the Asian Tour enjoyed another season of stellar growth.

Some of the biggest names in the game made the trip with the likes of world number two Sergio Garcia and world number three Phil Mickelson vowing to return as tournaments such as the Singapore Open and HSBC Champions get bigger and better.

Tennis too has its eyes firmly fixed on Asia with the WTA/ATP China Open becoming one of the top four “Super Tournaments” from 2009.

The WTA held 13 tournaments in the Asia-Pacific this year and the ATP 10, with the highlight again being the Australian Open, where Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova triumphed.

The tourament was also notable for brawling fans and the latest finish in Grand Slam history. — AFP

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