New format for top prize

The winner of the 2012 SportMalta Award will be decided by a new voting process that was unveiled by the Kunsill Malti ghall-iSport (KMS) during a news conference at the Cottonera Sports Complex yesterday.

The annual SportMalta Awards – l-Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali are again being organised jointly by the KMS and the Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sport with the presentations night scheduled for Saturday, January 19 at the MFCC in Ta’ Qali.

Pippo Psaila, chairman of the organising committee, told the media that this year’s contest will again feature the traditional awards given out by the sports journalists association, namely, Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, Team of the Year, Official of the Year, Youth Award, Athlete with Special Needs award, Event of the Year and the Career Recognition Award.

Psaila said the format to determine the prestigious SportMalta Award winner, chosen from the finalists in the Sportsman and Sportswoman categories, has now been revised.

“In previous years, this award was decided after a vote involving the members of the sportswriters association, officials from sports federations and the public,” Psaila said.

“This time we have decided to add a six-member commission to the voting panel.

“It will be headed by Fr Hilary Tagliaferro.

“The commission will cast its vote along with journalists, association delegates and the public to decide the SportMalta Award winner.

“The votes from each part will carry an equal percentage in the final ballot i.e. 25 per cent.”

Besides Fr Hilary, the commission will also include Aaron Ciantar, Bertie Muscat, Helen Asciak, Carol Walsh and Anna Calleja.

Psaila added that the organisers have also introduced two new categories, one honouring the athlete that garners the highest number of votes from the public and the other going to the nominee who obtains most points from the associations affiliated to the Kunsill Malti ghall-iSport.

The road show

Psaila emphasised that the SportMalta Awards were also intended to inspire the young generation to take up a career in sport.

To this end, the organisers will again hold the traditional road show that will see all the finalists visiting various schools around Malta and Gozo with the climax being reached on January 16 when over 3,000 students will be invited to attend the mega event at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

Also yesterday, Mario Meli, from the sports journalists’ asso-ciation, announced the names of the semi-finalists in the five major categories of the Sportivi Nazzjonali contest.

Among the shortlisted candidates are 2011 winners William Chetcuti (sportsman of the year), Diane Borg (sportswoman of the year), the rugby national selection (team of the year) and Nathan Lee Xuereb (young athlete of the year).

The list also includes a number of new faces, the likes of Manty Bugeja (drag racing), Billy Corito (boxing), Mr Whippy (drag racing team) and the Senglea club rowing team.

The Sportivi finalists will be announced on January 7, Meli said.

On his part, Bernard Vassallo, the KMS chairman, said the SportMalta Awards is an ideal occasion to celebrate the sporting achievements of Maltese athletes.

“2012 was another eventful year for all of us in sport,” Vassallo said.

“We want to mark the occasion and recognise the achievements of our athletes. At the same time, we also want to encourage our population to become more active.

“2012 was dedicated to the elderly and this year we have introduced special awards for this generation, particularly those who figured prominently in the Senior Citizens On The Move programme.”

At the end of yesterday’s news conference, Vassallo signed an agreement with Charles Camenzuli, the president of the Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sport, and Ruben Zammit, representing the Public Broadcasting Services, for the organisation of the awards contest next month.

Sportivi nominations...

Sportsman of the year
E. Bonello (cycling), M. Bugeja (drag racing), S. Camilleri (waterpolo), A. Chetcuti (swimming), W. Chetcuti (shooting), B. Corito (boxing), B. Hindle Deguara (squash), K. Galea (triathlon), C. Mizzi (karting), J. Saywell (judo), M. Spiteri (bowling), F. Spiteri (powerlifting).

Sportswoman of the year
S. Abela (bowling), D. Borg (athletics), D. Bonello Spiteri (triathlon), K. Caruana (gymnastics), L. Galea (karate), J. Grima (basketball), N. Muscat (swimming), C. Sultana (squash), A. Vella (shooting), M. Kisvardai (target shooting).

Team of the year
Basketball (men), basketball (women), bowling national team, football national team, Mr Whippy (drag racing), Senglea regatta (rowing), rugby national team, skeet doubles, women’s squash national team, weightlifting national team.

Youth of the year
F. Aufieri (judo), K. Cauchi (squash), G. Dingli (karting), N. Gatt (athletics/weightlifting), J. Harding (swimming), A. Micallef (swimming), M. Umnov (swimming), N.L. Xuereb (shooting).

Official of the year
E. Azzopardi (referee), M. Bonello (athletics coach), J. Bugeja (shooting), T. Camilleri (snooker), J. Caruana (weightlifting), A. Colbourn (swimming), E. Galea (judo), C. Borg Conti (handball), D. Neill (rugby), P. Valentino (sailing), B. Vassallo (basketball).

Athletes with special needs
P. Gruppetta (Special Olympics), M. Sultana (swimming).