Winners to be announced tonight

After weeks of preparation, the Ghaqda Kittieba Sports (GhKS) will tonight honour the top performers in Maltese sport for 2006.

The winners of the Sportivi Nazzjonali contest will be announced this evening during a gala night at the Westin Dragonara Resort, St Julians.

Over the past few weeks, the GhKS members named their preferred candidates in each of the five categories contested.

Shooters William Chetcuti and Rebecca Madyson are regarded as favourites to win the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards respectively following their medal success in the Commonwealth Games, held in Melbourne last March.

Chetcuti, winner of the top award for the past four years, clinched a bronze medal in the Double Trap event while Madyson became the first Maltese athlete to achieve a silver medal in such prestigious games when placing second in the Trap competition.

A number of former award winners have been approached by the organisers to present the trophies to the main protagonists in tonight's ceremony.

These include swimmer Angela Galea, Sportswoman of the Year in 2004 and 2005, MOC Director of Sport Pippo Psaila, Official of the Year in 1990, and former waterpolo player Bertie Portelli, winner of the Sportsman of the Year accolade in the first edition of these awards in 1969.

The Ghaqda Kittieba Sports will also recognise the sporting feats of disabled athletes Maria Spiteri and Bjorn Tabone.

For the third successive year, the organisers will also award a special prize to a veteran journalist for his long contribution to sports.

The finalists...

Sportsman of the Year
D. Bezzina (pool), A. Borg (snooker), W. Chetcuti (shooting), M. Cremona (table football), M. Zammit (triathlon).

Sportswoman of the Year
S. Abela (bowling), M. Bezzina (judo), L. Casha (bowling), R. Madyson (shooting), D. Spiteri (triathlon).

Official of the Year
J. Attard (badminton), T. Camilleri (snooker), J. Giordemaina (wrestling), Antonio Mizzi (basketball), Bernard Vassallo (basketball).

Team of the Year
Artie crew (sailing), pool national team, Team Chaudron (powerboats), bowling national team, triathlon national team.

J. Debattista Trophy (U-17)
M. Asciak (tennis), J. Attard (shooting), D. Borg (athletics), F. Xuereb (athletics), M. Xuereb (athletics).