Following Sports

I have followed sports since I remember. From football and cricket to Formula 1, most have caught my eye. It is simply thrilling and very entertaining stuff. And unlike movies and television, it is not unreal. Talented people fight it out against one another following certain rules and trying to get a common goal. Watched by thousands, the sight of a sports arena has always enthralled me.
In football, Europe is the leader. The best footballers play in Europe and many of the football fans in the world are Europeans. International football is not as exciting as European leagues. In fact, the quality of football in Europe sometimes even surpasses that of international tournaments.  The atmosphere inside a football stadium during an important football match is second to none.
I have played and watched cricket since I was strong enough to hold a cricket bat. Playing in the backyard with my brother used to be a part of my daily routine. It used to be fun and the game of cricket actually is very enjoyable. The best cricket in the world is international cricket. Ten teams are considered top tier and regularly play series of matches against one another in addition to almost yearly international tournaments. Cricket can sometimes be boring but when the matches get close, then there is not another sport which comes close to providing the excitement that cricket provides. Particularly in the Indian sub-continent, the noise inside a cricket stadium is deafening and the support for the home team so encouraging. 
Tennis is a sport with a worldwide following. The four Grand Slam events held in Australia, France, England and the USA respectively are the major events. More than a hundred athletes take part in each event. The winner takes home a handsome sum of prize money and a lot of fame. It is a truly global sport and nationalities of players are usually not considered except in a few tournaments like the Davis Cup.
Watching Formula 1 is different to watching other sports. Much more technicality is involved and the more important requirement for success than the driver’s skill is the car’s performance. F1 success is based on the car more than the driver. Even so, the races, particularly the qualifying, are tense and exciting.
Olympics is the biggest sports event held every four years. It includes most, if not all, sports played in the world. It is a dream-come-true event for a sports freak like me.