Four 2003 winners again in contention
2003 Sportivi Nazzjonali contest winners Benji Borg, William Chetcuti, Tanya Blake and the women's basketball national team are all in line for more success after they were included among the nominees announced yesterday for this year's 44th edition...
2003 Sportivi Nazzjonali contest winners Benji Borg, William Chetcuti, Tanya Blake and the women's basketball national team are all in line for more success after they were included among the nominees announced yesterday for this year's 44th edition during a press conference at the Education Ministry, Floriana.
The presentations night will be held on Saturday, January 29 at the Radisson SAS, St Julian's, and will be screened live on Net TV.
Charles Camenzuli, president of the Ghaqda Kittieba Sport (GhKS), organisers of these awards, said the list of finalists was determined according to a points system devised by a sub-committee formed of Benny Pace, Mario Meli and Chris Cassar.
The 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. However, in one case, where the same number of points was obtained, 11 candidates were included in the list.
The finalists in all six categories will be announced on January 15 during a meeting with Education Minister Louis Galea where the annual sports policy speech will be read.
Camenzuli also revealed that there was a very good possibility that an acclaimed former Olympic athlete will be attending the awards' night.
During the ceremony, the GhKS president added, the organisation will also honour a journalist for his sterling contribution to the sport. No names were divulged.
On February 2, President Eddie Fenech Adami will receive the winners of the 2004 contest at the palace in Valletta.
Camenzuli said the association was planning various activities for the next 12 months, including a course for sports writers with the collaboration of the Institute of Journalists.
Charlò Bonnici, from the Ministry of Education, said the Sportivi Nazzjonali contest is now established as one of the main events in Malta each year.
He said government was totally committed in supporting the contest and added that they were planning to help local associations to promote their various initiatives through the Education Channel.
The 2004 nominees...
Sportsman of the Year
M. Aquilina, A. Podesta (both sailing), O. Azzopardi (karate), A. Borg (snooker), W. Chetcuti (shooting), N. Coleiro (weightlifting), D. Galea (triathlon), S. Giglio (football), D. Gilford (athletics), N. Lanzon (waterpolo).
Sportswoman of the Year
S. Abela, M. Anastasi (both bowling), L.M. Bezzina (athletics), M. Bezzina (judo), T. Blake (athletics), L. Camenzuli (tennis), M. Formosa (archery), A. Galea (swimming), M. Mifsud Bonnici (triathlon), R. Mifsud (weightlifting).
Team of the Year
Women's basketball team, Sliema Wanderers FC, Elusive crew, wrestling national team, rugby national team, snooker Malta team, Fed Cup team, bowling national team, waterpolo national team, Sliema WPC, weightlifting national team.
Official of the Year
G. Bonello Dupuis, P. Valentino (both sailing), J. Mifsud, J. Borg (both football), R. Ebejer (waterpolo), L. Falzon, B. Vassallo (both basketball), E. Galea (judo), V. Gatt (netball), C. Mifsud (weightlifting).
Under-17 Category
M. Asciak, S. Sullivan, E. Genovese (all tennis), N. Beck (golf), B. Borg (sailing), T. Carannante (bowling), J. Mallia (athletics), D. Mangion (swimming), R. Muscat (cycling), D. Vella (shooting).
Category for disabled athletes: Nominees here have yet to be announced by the Maltese Association for Disabled Athletes.