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Sports 2020, in its entirety
And so 2020 comes to an end. A year in which we’ve seen it all in the world of sports. Many will agree the happenings of the year are unusual. Right at the geniuses, we were hit with the news of the death of Former Basketball player, Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gigi. The two died in a plane crash on their way to the icon’s youth basketball academy.
Coming down to Manchester, there was a new Red Devil lurking at Old Trafford. Bruno Fernandes penned a five-and-a-half year deal with Manchester United and he will go on to be instrumental at the Club as he will score 18 goals, make 14 assists in 29 games since his debut.
During that time the Australian Open was already in motion and Novak Djokovic emerged victorious by beating Dominic Thiem 3-2.
Disaster struck again and this time round, it didn’t spare any sporting field. All activities were put on hold. The COVID-19 virus had spread across the world and countries went into lockdown. Lives were at stake and sports could wait.
It was at this very moment, the French government cancelled all sport and awarded a third-straight Ligue 1 title to League leaders, PSG. For the Dutch, it was time to turn off the lights on the 2019/20 season. No team was awarded the title and so a blank page will stare at us in the history books of the Eredivisie for this year.
The Germans however took a bold step in May, and Bundesliga was the first league to return out of the top five European leagues with no fans allowed at the stadium. The English Premier League took notes and also returned behind closed doors.
Klopp and Liverpool heaved a sigh of relief! Finally, after thirty years of waiting, they laid hands on the EPL trophy.
Right down here in Ghana, the curtains were drawn and the decision was firm and final, the Ghana Premier League was truncated.
The Serie A and La Liga was back and Juventus won their ninth consecutive title, something the Old Lady would appreciate but the Champions League is what she craves for. For Real Madrid, Zidane had delivered on his second coming and they were kings of Spain again.
The transfer window was opened and summer signings were made. Chelsea caught the attention of everyone. They had acquired the services of Timo Werner, Thiago Silva, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Hvertz, Eduoard Mendy and Ben Chilwell. What more could Frank Lampard ask for?
Ghanaian youngster, Mohammed Kudus was in the news as he became Ajax’sn new poster boy.
Well, the Champions League returned and Bayern were ruthless on their way to the trophy triumph, trashing Barca 8-2.
Messi and Bartomeu drama was at the peak. The Argentine words and actions were clear, Bartomeu must go! He eventually resigned and Messi agreed to stay at the club.
Kotoko tried to stay away from drama as far as possible and they seemed to achieve that when they appointed Nana Yaw Amponsah as the new CEO after dissolving the board. He has given the club a new look so far by signing enviable deals and done some solid branding.
We found ourselves in ‘court’ in the month of August. Wilfred Osei Palmer took the Ghana Football Federation to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. To him his case was simple and straightforward; nullify the GFA Presidential elections that was held a year ago. He felt his candidacy was unfairly disqualified. He lost the case and Kurt Okraku was free to rule.
In the world of tennis, Noami Osaka brought #BlackLivesMatter to life and won the US Open and her third Grand Slam title in remarkable fashion.
For Arsenal, it was Partey time! Transfer deadline day is the busiest day of summer for football. Clubs hope to come to an agreement with each other and depending on your club you may be shocked by a particular signing. Not for the Gunners. They had anticipated the Thomas Partey signing right from the word go and his £45m pound release clause was triggered!
A familiar scene with a touch of history was present at the French Open. Rafael Nadal won his third Roland Garros, the most by any tennis player in history.
CAF President Ahmad Ahmad, was in deep waters. FIFA banned him for five years for financial misconduct. He has appealed at CAS, hopefully judgment will be passed in 2021.
Just when we thought 2020 couldn’t get any worse, it did. Football legend, Diego Maradona passed on at the age of 60. Tributes poured in, love was shown in different ways. The man deserved it.
In Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton wrote his name in history by equaling Schumacher’s record of seven world titles.
December came and it was a season of awards. Robert Lewandowski in all his glory beat Messi and Ronaldo to win the Best FIFA Men’s player award.
Maxwell Konadu was relieved from his post as Head coach of Kotoko after a series of disappointing results although Jonathan Smith has taken the reigns as interim, the club are still in search of permanent coach.
Black Stars player, Jonathan Mensah made the continent proud by becoming the first African to captain Columbus Crew to MLS title.
2020 has indeed been a long ride. We’ve been served with laughter, tears and goose bumps. May 2021 be better!
By Sakyibea Ofori|3news.com|Ghana
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