Issues that could shape 2016

Looking forward: The sports arena

Singapore's Joseph Schooling celebrates winning the gold medal at the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore.
Singapore's Joseph Schooling celebrates winning a gold medal at the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore. PHOTO: SINGSOC

Sports fans will have plenty to cheer this year as the planet's best sportsmen gather for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, while the cream of Europe battle it out in football's European Championship. But away from the arenas, there will also be plenty of action as world football, tainted by corruption charges and politics, elects a new head, just one of many boardroom dramas unfolding in the new year.

All eyes on our brightest hopes for Olympic glory

The arrival of another year always signifies new starts and fresh beginnings. In many ways, 2016 represents a step into uncharted territory for Singapore sport.

In an Olympic year - sport's grandest show will take place in Rio de Janeiro in August - the spotlight will no doubt fall on the Republic's brightest hopes.

Singapore has now returned from two successive Games with medals, thanks to the national women's table tennis team. This time, however, there is a glimmer of hope that glory will hail from the pool.

READ MORE HERE

The highs of pure sport - and lows of politics

Sport purists often argue that politics has no place in sport. That adage will be put to the test in 2016 when several high-profile political battles are set to dominate the back pages of newspapers worldwide.

With Fifa in need of a new president, 209 member associations will converge at a congress in Zurich next month to hit the ballot box.

One of Sheikh Salman Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, Gianni Infantino, Prince Ali Al-Hussein, Tokyo Sexwale and Jerome Champagne will replace Sepp Blatter. And his immediate task is an organisational overhaul amid a corruption scandal that has tarnished the image of world football's governing body.

READ MORE HERE

More Stories:

Looking forward: The political scene

Looking forward: Happenings at home

Looking forward: The world stage

Looking forward: The Singapore economy

Looking forward: The sports arena

Looking forward: Lifestyle

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.