Familiar names among nominees
Mugliett's policy speech on Jan. 10
There were some familiar names in the lists of nominees for the five categories of the 2003 Sportivi Nazzjonali contest that were announced yesterday during a news conference at the Ministry for Youth and the Arts in Valletta.
The presentation night will be held on Saturday, January 24 at the Radisson SAS Hotel in St Julians.
Tony Drago, semi-finalist in the World Pool Championship, GSSE gold medallists Tanya Blake, Carol Galea and William Chetcuti, the rugby and women's basketball national teams, are among the candidates for this year's honours.
Charles Camenzuli, president of the Ghaqda Kittieba Sports, the organisers of these awards, said that the list of nominees were determined according to a points system devised by the organising body. This points-accumulation formula seeks to reward the feats achieved by the Maltese athletes both locally and in international competitions.
Camenzuli said that as a norm, the top ten in each category were nominated even though in cases where athletes obtained the same number of points, 11 names were included in the list.
The five finalists in each of the five categories will be announced on January 10 during a meeting with sports minister Jesmond Mugliett.
On this occasion, Mugliett will deliver his annual policy speech, outlining the government's plans for sport for the next five years.
Camenzuli said Peter Wilson, president of the English Sportswriters Association, will attend the awards' presenation night.
The GhKS president also added that the organisers are in talks to bring over a former Olympic champion as a guest for the presentation night but no names were revealed.
Camenzuli said that since the appointment of the new committee, the GhKS increased its efforts to strengthen its ties with local sports associations and held meetings with the MOC to iron out any existing differences between the two bodies.
The GhKS yesterday also launched its own website, www.maltasportsmedia.com.
The nominees...
Sportsman of the Year
M. Aquilina (Sailing), A. Borg (MBSA), M. Camilleri (Darts), R. Chouhal (Athletics), N. Coleiro (Weightlifting), T. Drago (Pool), M. Fiteni (Squash), F. Pace, W. Chetcuti (both Shooting), R. Sciberras (Table Soccer), A. Vassallo (Wrestling).
Sportswoman of the Year
S. Abela, D. Camilleri (both Bowling), T. Blake, G. Camilleri, C. Galea, C. Pace (all Athletics), L. Camenzuli (Tennis), D. Desira (Squash), A. Galea (Swimming), M. Mifsud Bonnici (Triathlon).
Official of the Year
P. Balzan, M. Dalli (Waterpolo), S. Bonello (Wrestling), G. Borg (Chess), K. Buttigieg (Rugby), A. Casha (Football), C. Farrugia, B. Vassallo (Basketball), N. Gauci (Darts), E. Galea (Judo), P. Zammit (Tennis).
Team of the Year
Women's Basketball national team, Cricket national team, Darts national team, women's 4x100m, women's 4x400m, men's 4x100m (all athletics), Rugby national team, Sliema Wanderers (Football), women's national team (Squash), U-19 Table Soccer team.
Under-17
M. Axiaq (Tennis), B. Borg, M. Fleri Soler (Sailing), F. Borg (Gymnastics), S. Borg (Horseracing), N. Brimmer (Bowling), D. Mangion (Swimming), R. Muscat (Cycling), E. Zammit (Athletics), J. Zammit (Wrestling).