New categories for finals night on July 16

There will be three new categories in this year's fourth Westin Malta Football Awards that will culminate to a presentations' night on July 16 at the Westin Dragonara Resort.

Sandro Micallef, the chairman of the organising committee, told the media yesterday that most of the awards that characterised the first three editions will again be contested.

These will be joined by the 'Best Player in the Gozo FA league', 'Best Futsal Player' and the 'Most Popular Player' awards to increase the number of categories to 13.

"After the success of last year, I felt that we should also award players who practise their favourite sport in the top division in Gozo and the Futsal league," he said.

"I'm glad to say that the response for this initiative was very encouraging and that augurs well for the future of these awards."

Micallef said that no foreign player is eligible to win the Gozo league award while the best five-a-side footballer will be chosen from those who figure in the First Division only.

As regards the award for the most popular player with the sporting public, Micallef said that the organisers have chosen six footballers. They have an SMS number attached through which people can place their vote.

These are: Gilbert Agius (50614001), Jeffrey Chetcuti (5061-4002), Andrew Cohen (50614003), Haruna Doda (50614004), Reuben Gauci (50614005) and Ivan Woods (50614006).

Those wishing to vote for their favourite player who is not mentioned among the list of six has to send an SMS with the name of the player and his club on 50614007.

This contest is already under way and until yesterday, Woods was leading ahead of Agius and outsider Julian Briffa, of Floriana. Voting will be stopped 30 minutes before the presentations' night is over.

Awards will also go to the best player in all roles on the field of play. Once again, the contest will also be open for the most promising youngster, the top local and foreign player, best foreigner and best female player.

Missing from the list of categories are the awards for top referee and linesman.

The best goal of the season will be decided by a sub-committee, composed mainly of sportswriters. They will view a selection of goals on video and subsequently vote for their best preference.

The voting panel is composed of various members. These include club presidents, coaches, Premier League team captains and those journalists who report top-flight football.

Another novelty in this year's contest is that all votes will be counted in front of a public notary, Dr Sharon Fiorentino.

The names of the three finalists will be announced just a week before the finals night which will be screened live on Net TV.