Six sporting wishes for a great 2019

WE are less than 72 hours away from ushering in a brand-new year, and there's already so much to look forward to in the world of sports in 2019.

I'm already salivating at the prospect of all the fantastic sporting action that will take place over the next 12 months, both in Singapore and around the globe.

Here, in no particular order, is my wish list for 2019. Once again, I will be just a wee bit greedy and ask for five wishes, and maybe the sports genie will be kind enough to grant them all. Happy New Year!

Another Major for Osaka

Naomi Osaka is the latest darling of women's tennis. She's fresh-faced, full of energy, extremely likeable and, at the tender age of 21, already a proven winner.

The Japanese star won the US Open crown in New York last September, but that achievement was overshadowed by her opponent Serena Williams' now infamous meltdown on centre court. Osaka won her first Major, but it was the hot-headed Williams who unfairly stole the limelight and most of the backpage headlines the next day.

With almost her entire career still ahead of her, Osaka can, and will, get another opportunity to claim another Grand Slam title - and most likely sooner, rather than later.

More big events at the Hub

There's nothing like watching sports 'live' at a stadium or arena, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Singapore Sports Hub will continue to bring in more top-tier events throughout 2019.

Football's International Champions Cup is returning in July for the third straight year, but the participating teams have not been announced yet.

Manchester United are playing a couple of friendly games in Perth that month, so might they be persuaded to make a stop in the Lion City before heading back to the UK? If they do, it would be the Red Devils' first game in Singapore since 2001.

There won't be any tennis here in 2019 as the WTA Finals has just ended its five-year run here, and how I'd love to see another big tennis tournament on these shores. Maybe a Singapore Open that features both male and female players? Now that would surely bring in the fans in droves.

The Lions to finally start winning

After a quite torrid 2018, surely the new year can't be any worse for Singapore's beleaguered national football team.

They finished rock bottom of the Asian Cup qualifying group and were booted out of the AFF Suzuki Cup in the first round. It's no surprise that the Lions are now ranked a lowly 165th in the world, and are light years away from even being considered a Southeast Asian powerhouse.

Still without a permanent head coach, interim trainer Fandi Ahmad must make way as soon as possible for the new man, ideally well before the next round of international games in March. The Football Association of Singapore needs to work fast.

Seal those sports broadcasts early

Singtel surprised with its Nov 22 announcement that it had secured the English Premier League broadcast rights for another three years until May 2022, well before the current deal expires in May 2019.

Fans here have been so accustomed to the telcos waiting until the eleventh hour to get a deal done, so it was a welcome change to see the EPL rights sewn up so far ahead of time.

There are many more big tournaments coming up - such as the UEFA Nations League finals in June, and the 2019/20 Champions League that begins in September - and it would be great to have some certainty if they will be shown on TV.

One Championship to continue its ascendency

Martial arts fever is fast heating up, and 2019 is easily going to be a mammoth year for Singapore-based One Championship.

The organisation led by the inspirational Chatri Sityodtong will make its debut in Japan, Vietnam and South Korea.

The Japan show, to be held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo on March 31, will see Ultimate Fighting Championship alumni Eddie Alvarez and Demetrious Johnson compete for the first time in the One Championship cage.

Schooling to rule the pool again

Singapore's Olympic champion is returning home for good in 2019 - after he graduates from the University of Texas - and begin his preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

That means Singaporeans will get to see more of their favourite swimmer. In 2019, he will also take part in major events such as the Fina World Championships in South Korea and the SEA Games in the Philippines.

I would love nothing more than for Schooling to continue to beat his personal bests, set more records, and deliver many more medals for the country.