From January to December the next 12 months promises to deliver plenty of memorable moments, here is our pick of the action…
WORLD CUP: June 12-July 13
Where: Brazil.
Who’ll be there: Ronaldo, Messi, Neymar, Rooney, Aguero, Iniesta, Falcao, Ribery… need we go on?
Defending champions: Spain.
Why it’ll be great: Brazil is the biggest football nation on earth so it’s a guaranteed spectacle. Any one of 10 teams can realistically win it. Plus, it’s the World Cup, enough reason alone to get excited.
DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC: January 27-February 2
Where: Emirates Golf Club.
Who’ll be there: World No1 Tiger Woods, reigning European No1 and FedEx Cup champion Henrik Stenson and world No6 Rory McIlroy Defending champion: Stephen Gallacher
Why it’ll be great: It’s the 25th anniversary of the tournament that really set the trend of Dubai hosting big sporting events. Most of the past champions will be here, but all eyes will be on the first battle of the year between Woods and McIlroy. One man who can play spoil sport is Stenson, who is eager to bring his last season’s form into 2014.
WINTER OLYMPICS: March 16-April 6
Where: Sochi, Russia.
Who’ll be there: More than 2,500 athletes from over 85 nations.
Defending champions: Canada won most golds in 2010 with 14.
Why it’ll be great: Ice hockey, skiing, luge (a ridiculous sport), snowboarding… people say they don’t like winter sports, then the Olympics happen and they usually change their minds.
WORLD TWENTY20: March 16-April 6
Where: Three stadiums across Bangladesh.
Who’ll be there: 16 countries, including the UAE.
Defending champions: West Indies.
Why it’ll be great: For starters, the UAE will be there which promises to be a momentous occasion, then you have the whole unpredictability of the event. Such is T20 cricket, upsets are more likely than in ODIs and any one of eight teams can win it. Plus there’s a chance to see Gayle, Malinga, Kohli, Morgan and Warner in action.
FOMRULA ONE SEASON: March 16-November 23
Where: 19 races starting in Melbourne and ending in the UAE.
Who’ll be there: Vettel, Alonso, Hamilton, Button, Raikkonen…
Defending champion: Sebastian Vettel… of course!
Why it’ll be great: Nobody is 100 per cent certain but those in the know, i.e drivers and technicians are confident the myriad rule changes taking place will narrow the gap between the Red Bulls and the rest of the field. Last season was actually pretty close up to the August break when Pirelli changed their tyres and Vettel then sped off into the distance. But with the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, where double points are available, let’s hope it’s a special season.
INDIA"S TOUR OF ENGLAND: June 23-September 7
Where: A host of venues across England and Wales.
Who’ll be there: Kohli, Dhoni, Pujara, Cook, Broad, Bell etc.
Defending champion: In the last tour England won the Test series 4-0, the ODIs 3-0 and the sole T20 match.
Why it’ll be great: Well, it’s the first time India have played a five-Test series in England since 1959, which given concerns over the purist format of the game is cause for celebration in itself. When you factor in India’s new-look youthful batting line-up of Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (right) and Shikhar Dhawan and a desire for revenge after the whitewash in 2011 plus England’s rebuilding exercise, it makes for a contest that should be thrilling entertainment.
GULF CUP NATIONS: Date: TBC
Where: Saudi Arabia.
Who’ll be there: Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Suadi Arabia, the UAE and Yemen.
Defending champions: UAE.
Why it’ll be great: As defending champions the tournament should represent a different kind of challenge to the UAE. Whereas in 2013 they were the up-andcoming side, they should enter the tournament as favourites and will have to deal with that pressure. It is another stage in the development of Mahdi Ali’s exciting young team who, more often than not, are a joy to watch with their attacking football.
VOLCO OCEAN RACE: Starts October 4
Where: Starts in Alicante, ends in Gothenburg June 2015.
Who’ll be there: Four teams confirmed so far – Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, Team SCA, featuring an all-female crew, an as yet unnamed Brazilian boat and Brunel from Holland.
Defending champions: Groupama (not competing).
Why it’ll be great: An ever- evolving storyline, Abu Dhabi being prominently involved and the fact all the boats will be designed to a specific blueprint meaning a closer race.
COMMONWEALTH GAMES: July 23-August 4
Where: Glasgow, Scotland.
Who’ll be there: Athletes from 70 nations.
Defending champions: Australia won 74 golds in 2010.
Why it’ll be great: There’s the simple matter of another chance to see Usain Bolt in action, whether over 100, 200m or the relay (as he’s yet to confirm in which event he will compete in). Outside of Bolt you have Kenya’s David Rudisha in the 800m, Mark Cavendish racing for the Isle of Man against some of his Olympic team-mates, rising South African swimming star Chad le Clos and many, many more.
RYDER CUP: September 26-28
Where: Gleneagles, Scotland.
Who’ll be there: Woods, Mickelson, McIlroy, Stenson, Rose etc.
Defending champions: Europe.
Why it’ll be great: The Ryder Cup rarely disappoints. Events of 2012 with the ‘Miracle of Medinah’ as Europe performed a stunning final day comeback surpassed all expectations and reason. Expect to see a fired up USA team gunning for revenge.
