Chetcuti, Abela top journalists' awards

William Chetcuti and Sue Abela are the top sports personalities of 2008 following a vote conducted by the Għaqda Kittieba Sports for the annual Sportivi Nazzjonali contest.

For Chetcuti this was the sixth time he was voted Sportman of the Year after the five accolades between 2002 and 2006.

The double trap shooter, who last August achieved Malta's best ever result in an Olympic Games when placing eighth in Beijing, polled the biggest number of votes with 368. Horse racing's Charles Degiorgio was second with 268 while Alex Borg, the Malta snooker champion, finished third with 218.

Abela, Malta's leading bowler, was another former winner who was honoured during the gala night held at the Le Meridien Hotel in St Julian's. Abela topped the Sportswoman of the Year poll when she collected 281 points, ten better off than second-placed Martina Xuereb, of athletics.

Aaron Ciantar's Conam Yachts were named Team of the Year after their exploits in the powerboat supersport class. Ciantar finished with 383 votes to finish ahead of the women's basketball team (256) and the men's waterpolo team (223).

Malta Shooting Sport Federation president Saviour Portelli and upcoming shooter Ryan Bugeja completed a memorable night for the shooting fraternity when they scooped the Official of the Year Award and the top U-17 athlete respectively.

During last night's presentations ceremony, the sportswriters association also acknowledged the contribution of veteran journalist Henry Calleja and disabled athlete Antonio Flores.

The journalists vote

Sportsman of the Year: 1. W. Chetcuti (shooting) 368; 2. D. Degiorgio (horse racing) 268; 3. A. Borg (snooker) 218.

Sportswoman of the Year: 1. S. Abela (bowling) 281; 2. M. Xuereb (athletics) 271; 3. A. Olivieri Munroe (squash) 243.

Team of the year: 1. A. Ciantar 383 (powerboats); 2. Basketball 256; 3. Waterpolo 223.

Official of the Year: 1. S. Portelli (shooting) 293; 2. J. Cassar (Maltese Olympic Committee) 263.

U-17 award: 1. R.Bugeja (shooting) 353; 2. C. Farrugia (shooting) 237; 3. C. Sultana (squash) 231.