Two new categories introduced

For the second year running, players plying their trade in the Maltese Premier League and match officials will earn recognition for their contribution to the game by virtue of the Westin Malta Football Awards.

Encouraged by the success of the first edition held last year, Sandro Micallef and Robert Cutajar, the architects behind this event, have decided to extend this initiative.

The presentation evening of the Malta Football Awards will take place on Saturday, July 26 at the Westin Dragonara Resort in St Julian's. The Westin was also the venue for the launching of the event yesterday afternoon.

Micallef announced that two new categories, namely those of Best Assistant Referee and the Best Goal of the Season, have been added to the array of awards while the Gaffe of the Season accolade has been ditched.

Awards will be given in the following 11 categories: Best Striker; Best Midfielder; Best Defender; Best Goalkeeper; Best Maltese Player; Best Foreign Player; Best Coach; Best Referee; Best Assistant Referee; Most Promising Youngster; Best Goal.

Micallef said that the voting format has been amended to give voters more freedom to name their preferences. Twenty-nine football journalists and the captains, coaches and presidents of the 10 Premier League clubs were asked to name three candidates in each category according to their order of preference rather than choose from a pre-set list of six nominees as was the case last year.

An organising committee, comprising journalists, representatives of the Ghaqda Kittieba Sports, the MFA and former footballers, will also be set up.

The functions of this committee are three-fold: to oversee the counting process, to discuss Special Awards to other entities or individuals connected with football and to select the best goal of the season.

John Farrugia, MFA vice-president, said the local football governing body was pleased to back this initiative. "These awards cover a wide spectrum of local football and are voted for by people who are part and parcel of the game," Farrugia said.

Renzo Correzzola, general manager at the Westin Dragonara Resort, said his hotel's association with the Malta Football Awards reflects its drive to encourage sports activity. "The first edition was very well organised and well-received and I hope the second one will be even better," Correzzola said.

Bolton Wanderers players Jay-Jay Okocha and Youri Djorkaeff will be invited to present awards to the winners during the final evening.