Months after delivering a thrilling conclusion where India`s Gukesh D became the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion, the 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship held in Singapore is back in the spotlight. This time, it`s not for the moves on the board, but for its overall impact, having been recognized as the Best Sports Event of the Year at the prestigious 2025 Singapore Sports Awards.
Organized by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and Sport Singapore, these awards represent the highest national accolade for sporting excellence. The World Chess Championship secured the top spot in the highly competitive Exhibition/Competition category, highlighting its significant contribution to Singapore`s sporting calendar in 2024.
The recognition extends beyond the intense battles fought across the 64 squares. Judges specifically cited the event`s world-class organization, high-quality media production, and successful community engagement efforts. Hosting the championship helped firmly position Singapore as a capable and appealing venue for major international sporting spectacles.
The match itself provided ample drama, culminating after thirteen rollercoaster games with the historic crowning of 18-year-old Gukesh. This landmark moment resonated globally, capturing the attention of both dedicated chess fans and the wider public.
Adding another feather to the cap, Singaporean photographer Chin An Eng received the Sports Photo of the Year award for a striking image captured during the match. The winning photograph masterfully conveyed the mental intensity of the contest, showing both players mirroring each other in deep concentration, heads in hands – a poignant visual representation of the psychological battle inherent in top-level chess.
The Singapore Sports Award for the World Chess Championship is a powerful affirmation of chess`s growing prominence on the international stage and Singapore`s capability as a host nation. While the battles on the 64 squares require intense mental effort rather than physical prowess, this recognition proves that a top-tier chess event can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other major sports competitions, earning accolades for its operational excellence and global impact. It`s a significant win for the sport, proving that strategic depth and intellectual drama can indeed constitute the `Best Sports Event` of the year.
