Kelly's world

First things first, happy New Year folks! Hope 2009 has started well for you and that you're still keeping your resolutions (if you made any). I've resolved not to lose my temper too often (might be easier trying to achieve peace in the Middle East or Africa, but I'll give it my best shot).

Of course, I couldn't go into 2009 without mentioning two Jamaicans who lost their minds at the end of 2008.

First, the mother who left her two-year-old child in an abandoned building. Even her close friends couldn't believe it.

And then Reggae Boy Ricardo Fuller who got red-carded during a match for 'boxing' a player. That was bad enough but it was a player from his own team! Plus, it was the captain! We call Fuller Wiley-boo, but that's taking it literally.

However, it's time for me to look deep into the cavernous recesses of the morbid prism I call a mind, and see what (I hope) will happen in the year 2009.

Predictions

For starters (being a shameless sports fanatic), I would love the Reggae Boyz to win the Gold Cup. I'm going on the premise that the other teams who are still in the World Cup will be a little preoccupied with that, so they may be distracted. For us, this is the World Cup! Realistically, I think we may finish fourth, losing a heartbreaker in the semi-finals.

I would love for us to dominate the world's best at the World Championships like we did in Beijing. A certain Mr Bolt will definitely have them talking, whether he fails to do something spectacular or if he wins every race he enters. If the first happens, no doubt people would question just how natural his records in Beijing were. Provided he doesn't get injured, Bolt will shock them again, maybe not in world record times (c'mon the man is human) but he will be victorious.

I hope somebody down on the mother continent gets up enough cojones to get rid of Robert Mugabe. To some, he's gone from a Nelson Mandela type to an Idi Amin lookalike. The man has just lost all his marbles and it's time to have fresh elections with sane, fair candidates to start the country's long road to recovery.

Other stuff I'm looking forward to this year:

Barack Obama's inauguration - Barring a miracle of Old Testament proportions, I won't be there to witness it physically, but I can't wait to see it.

(Hopefully) Some stability in the financial sector.

Some peace in all the volatile communities around Jamrock.

Well, there you have it. And, like I say (at least when I'm slightly off my rockers), 2009 is the year I get mine!

Greet the New Year with me at daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com.

Usain Bolt