Sporting feast goes on after highs and lows of World Cup

A FEW colleagues – all ardent football fans – dropped by the Sports desk over the past few days.

They were not looking for the latest headlines.

Instead, they were lamenting the end of six glorious weeks of football and joking about their “withdrawal symptoms”.

After countless 3am kick-offs and turning up to work looking like zombies, the silence suddenly felt strange.

The expanded World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico certainly delivered.

There were breathtaking goals, dramatic upsets, unforgettable moments and, of course, a few anti-climaxes.

Spain were worthy champions after dismantling Argentina in a surprisingly one-sided final.

Few would not have expected the defending champions to end their campaign so tamely.

They managed only one shot on target, while their frustrations boiled over into needless confrontations that could invite disciplinary action from FIFA.

The tournament was not without controversy either.

FIFA will have questions to answer over the decision to allow Folarin Balogun to feature for the United States after his earlier red card was overturned and who can forget the umpiring qualities.

Whether one agrees with the ruling or not, it inevitably became another talking point in a World Cup that rarely lacked drama.

Perhaps the tournament ended in the most symbolic way possible. As Lionel Messi bid farewell to the biggest stage, 19-year-old Lamine Yamal lifted the trophy for the first time.

One legend exits, another era begins.

But for sports fans, there is no time to dwell on the end of one spectacle because another has already begun.

The Commonwealth Games are now under way in Glasgow.

I was there 12 years ago when the Scottish city last hosted the Games, and this edition is remarkably different.

The programme has been reduced from more than 20 sports to just 10, with badminton and squash notably absent.

Back in 2014, Malaysia celebrated six gold medals through squash queen Nicol David, diver Ooi Tze Liang, weightlifter Mohd Hafifi Mansor and three badminton triumphs in the mixed team, men’s doubles (Tan Wee Kiong-Goh V Shem) and women’s doubles (Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei).

Malaysia followed that with seven gold medals in Gold Coast (2018) and Birmingham (2022).

This time, however, the target has been trimmed to five gold medals from both able-bodied and para athletes.

Hopefully, by the time this appears in print, para powerlifting champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin would already have delivered the nation’s first gold.

We will also be cheering for cycling icon Azizulhasni Awang as he bids farewell to the Commonwealth Games with one final golden ride. Coach John Beasley is right in saying that Azizul is unstoppable.

Beyond Malaysia’s medal hopes, Glasgow promises plenty of world-class action in the pool, on the track and across the remaining sports.

More importantly, one hopes the headlines will be dominated by inspiring performances, sportsmanship and unforgettable human interest stories rather than ugly scenes of violence or racial tension.

And the sporting calendar is only getting busier. The Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Selangor from Aug 17-24 should uncover the country’s next generation of stars.

Every nation needs fresh faces. Spain have Yamal. Malaysia is searching for its own sporting heroes.

The Asian Games in Japan from Sept 19-Oct 4 then provide an even bigger stage.

A top-five finish in Asia will be a huge challenge, but not an impossible one.

National squash ace S. Sivasangari also has the chance to make history by becoming the first Malaysian to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics through the Asian Games, with the gold medallist earning an automatic berth.

Then there is the possibility of Formula One returning to Sepang.

With Bahrain reportedly pulling out amid the Middle East crisis, Malaysia could have an opportunity to bring the sport back, and Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohd Taufiq Johari has already said the government is assessing the feasibility of hosting another Grand Prix.

So, if my colleagues are worried about life after the World Cup, they need not be.

There is no room for withdrawal symptoms. The football party may be over, but the sporting feast is only getting started.