Singapore, a city increasingly recognized as a hub for major international gatherings, has added another feather to its cap. The FIDE World Chess Championship match held in 2024, which captivated audiences worldwide with its high drama and historic outcome, has officially received a prestigious national honour: Best Sports Event of the Year.
Recognized Excellence at the Singapore Sports Awards
The award was bestowed at the 2025 Singapore Sports Awards. Organized by the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and Sport Singapore, these annual accolades represent the highest recognition for sporting achievements and events that took place in the preceding year. For the 2024 edition of the awards, it was the FIDE World Chess Championship that stood out in the “Exhibition/Competition” category.
This recognition goes beyond the thrilling games played on the board. The award acknowledges the overall quality of the event`s execution. Factors such as world-class organization, the effectiveness of media production that brought the intensity of the match to a global audience, and successful community engagement were cited as key elements contributing to its success. Hosted at the impressive Resorts World Sentosa and supported by partners like Google, the championship demonstrated Singapore`s capability to stage premier sporting events on a grand scale.
A Historic Match with Lasting Impact
The FIDE World Chess Championship 2024 was a memorable contest between India`s D. Gukesh and China`s Ding Liren. The match, a rollercoaster of strategic battles and psychological tension spread across 13 games, culminated in Gukesh being crowned the youngest undisputed World Champion in history. Even months later, the significance of this achievement and the excitement generated by the match continue to resonate within the chess world and beyond.
The decision by the Singapore Sports Awards panel highlights that the event`s impact wasn`t confined solely to the chess community. It was a well-executed sports spectacle that captured national attention and contributed to Singapore`s reputation as a destination capable of hosting significant global competitions effectively.
Visual Storytelling Also Honored
Adding to the event`s accolades, a striking photograph captured during the championship also received top honours. Singaporean photographer Chin An Eng was awarded Sports Photo of the Year for an image that powerfully conveyed the mental intensity of the Gukesh-Ding match. The photograph visually mirrored the tension, showing both players in similar pensive postures, reflecting the immense pressure of competing at the highest level.
Gukesh Dommaraju and Ding Liren | Photo: Chin An Eng
A Testament to Chess`s Growing Stature
The recognition of the FIDE World Chess Championship as Singapore`s top sports event of 2024 is a powerful testament to the growing stature and appeal of chess on the global stage. It underscores that chess championships, when organized with excellence and promoted effectively, can stand alongside traditional major sporting competitions in terms of impact and presentation.
The success of the event and its subsequent recognition are attributed to the collaborative efforts of FIDE, the Singapore Chess Federation, local organizers, sponsors, and volunteers. This award celebrates not just a chess match, but a well-executed international event that left a significant mark on both the sports calendar and the city of Singapore.
