Is-Sibt filgħaxija saret is-56 edizzjoni ta’ SportMalta Awards Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali, serata li fiha ġew ippremjati atleti kif ukoll uffiċjali għall-kisbiet tagħhom matul is-sena 2016.

Ir-rebbieħa kollha ta’ SportMalta Awards Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali, li kienu organizzati b’mod konġunt bejn SportMalta, l-Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sports u mis-Segretarjat Parlamentari għar-Riċerka, Innovazzjoni, Żgħażagħ u Sport huma dawn:

Sportiv tas-Sena: Duncan  Micallef (Drag Racing)

Sportiva tas-Sena: Tiziana Carannante (Ten Pin Bowling)

Żagħżugħ tas-Sena: Ben Plumpton (Waterpolo)

Żagħżugħa tas-Sena: Helene Pellicano (Tennis)

Team tas-Sena: Team Nazzjonali Malti tal-Football U21

Uffiċjal tas-Sena: Esther Azzopardi (Football)

Coach tas-Sena: Silvio Vella (Football)

People’s Choice Award: John Zammit (Ċikliżmu)

Waqt is-serata ngħataw unuri oħra fosthom lill-Assoċjazzjoni Maltija tal-Badminton għall-aħjar avveniment internazzjonali organizzat f’Malta u lil Joe Bajada li ddistingwa ruħu bil-ħidma tiegħu fil-gżira Għawdxija.  Mark Agius (Bocce) u Ann Marie Bugeja (Ġinnastika) ingħataw l-unur tal-iktar atleti ta’ Special Olympics li spikkaw matul is-sena 2016.

Is-serata li xxandret b’mod dirett fuq TVM2 kellha preżentazzjoni minn Pamela Schembri. Waqt is-serata saru diskorsi miċ- Chairman ta’ SportMalta, Luciano Busuttil, mill- President tal-Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sports Charles Camenzuli, miċ-Chairman tal-Kumitat Organizzattiv Mark Cutajar u mis-Segretarju Parlamentarigħar-Riċerka, Innovazzjoni, Żgħażagħ u Sport Chris Agius.

Repetizzjoni tas-serata ta’ SportMalta Awards Għażliet Sportvi Nazzjonali tixxandar fil-jiem li ġejjin fuq TVM2 u tkun disponibbli wkoll on-demand fuq tvm.com.mt

Please be informed that the National Pool Complex will be open again for the public on Wednesday 8^th March.

We would like to thank all our clients for their patience, understanding and support during this period.

SportMalta has distributed the value of over 200,000 euros in assistance schemes to 52 associations and federations during the first ceremony held this year at Fort St. Angelo, Vittoriosa.

SportMalta and the Malta Olympic Committee have signed a breakthrough agreement that grants 2 and a half million euros from SportMalta to MOC over a period of 4 years thus fulfilling an electoral commitment.

The contract allows for better management as it makes it possible for MOC to plan way in advance the distribution of the funds available to assist athletes in their preparation for international competitions such as the 2020 Olympics, The Small Nations Games in 2019 and 2021 taking place in Montenegro and Andorra respectively and the Commonwealth Games of 2018.

Apart from the 2.5 million covered by the contract, MOC will also receive other significant funds specifically directed towards the development of young athletes to participate in the 2023 Small Nations Games. The Malta Olympic Committee is currently bidding to host this event in Malta, in the meantime the amount in 2018 will be that of 105,000 euros.

On the other hand SportMalta is investing in the renovation of its sports facilities so as to be able to host the Small Nations Games in 2023. It is also committed to continue in its financing of full-time employees of The Malta Olympic Committee such as the laboratory doctor and further supports the Olympic Committee by leasing out the office space for free.

The agreement was signed by Luciano Busuttil, Chairman of SportMalta and Julian Pace Bonello, President of the Malta Olympic Committee in the presence of the Parliamentary Secretary, Chris Agius, Mark Cutajar, SportMalta’s CEO and Joe Cassar, Secretary of The Malta Olympic Committee.

The finalists of the Sport Malta Awards- Għazliet Sportivi Nazzjonali organised by SportMalta and Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sports, were announced yesterday during a press conference held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

For another consecutive year the event will be divided in 7 main categories and it will be aired LIVE on TVM 2 on Saturday 25th February from the Mediterranean Conference Centre. The winners will be selected through a live voting system by sports journalists representing the different media houses in Malta.

This year’s edition that will recognize the achievements in the different levels of sports will comprise of the traditional below categories:

Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Official of the Year, Male and Female Youth of the year and Award for the best initiative for the organization of an international event in Malta., Male and Female Special Olympics Award and Best Gozitan Athlete.

The finalists were chosen following a vote carried out by the sports journalists, members of the Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sports. There are 6 finalists in 4 of the categories as there were equal votes for the fifth placing.

The finalists are:

Sportsman of the Year

Camilleri Stevie – Waterpolo

Chetcuti William – Shooting

Degiorgio Charles – Horseracing

Micallef Duncan – Drag Racing

Xuereb Nathan – Shooting

Sportswoman of the Year

Abela Sue – Ten Pin Bowling

Carannante Tiziana – Ten Pin Bowling

Pellicano Helene – Tennis

Wingfield Charlotte – Athletics

Zammit Stevens Yazmin – Weightlifting

Official of the Year: (6)

Azzopardi Esther – Football

Borda Joseph – Rugby

Camilleri Terry  – Snooker

Caruana Jesmond – Weightlifting

Sultana Paul – Basketball

Zammit John – Cycling

Coach of the Year: (6)

Adamoli Angela – Basketball

Bugeja Jimmy – Shooting

Farrugia Anthony – Waterpolo

Holliday Daniel – Rugby

Izzo Karl – Waterpolo

Vella Silvio – Football

Male Youth of the Year: (6)

Cassar Kurt – Basketball

Galea Luke – Karate

Giordimaina Gary – Wrestling

Magro Matthew – Ten Pin Bowling

Plumpton Ben – Waterpolo

Sultana Kijan – Squash

Female Youth of the Year

Al Tumi Hannah – Basketball

Attard Gliveau Nicole – Athletics

Grillo Sana – Gymnastics

Pellicano Helene – Tennis

Shultheis Victoria – Sailing

Xuereb Sara  – Ten Pin Bowling

Team of the Year

Basketball: Women’s National Team

Football: Men’s National Team U/21

Snooker: Team: Alex Borg & Brian Cini

Waterpolo: Men’s National Team – ‘A’

Waterpolo: National Team Under 19

Apart from the categories which will be voted for by sports journalists during the night of the event, there will also be the People’s Choice Award whereby the winner will be selected by the general public via a televoting system. The public can vote online through this link https://www.sportmalta.org.mt/peoples-choice-awards-2017. The finalists in this category are:

People’s Choice Award

Tiziana Carannante – Bowling

William Chetcuti – Shooting

Keith Galea – Triathlon

Dennis Thornton – Regatta

John Zammit – Cycling

During the press conference, certificates were presented to all this year’s semi-finalists .The Sport Malta Awards- Għazliet Sportivi Nazzjonali dates back to 55 years ago when in 1960 Wilfred Pirotta won the Sportsman of the Year Award during the first edition. Over the years the event has increased in its popularity with the participation of more Associations and Federations, sports journalists and the general public.

This year’s edition hosted by Pamela Schembri will take place on Saturday 25^th of February 2017 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta and transmitted live on TVM 2 at 20:15

Refurbishment Works at The National Pool Complex are in their third and final phase. 

The Parliamentary Secretary Chris Agius, together with Sportmalta’s CEO Mr. Mark Cutajar and Chairman Dr. Luciano Bususttil visited the National Pool Complex and made a tour of the venue. There were also the directors of SportMalta and Dr. Joe Caruana Curran present during this visit.

The National Pool Complex has undergone a major overhaul over the past year. During all the phases SportMalta made sure that the pool remained open to the associations and clients thus limiting the effect on its services. As a matter of fact SportMalta reached an agreement with Neptunes to provide the latter’s premises during the final refurbishment phase of the pool deck and the pool itself so that clubs and clients could continue with their training.

The National Pool Complex is expected to open its doors in the coming weeks.

SportMalta together with the Malta Sports Journalists Association will again be organizing the SportMalta Awards- Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali, a much anticipated event by all local sport enthusiasts especially athletes, coaches and sport administrators.

This year’s edition will take place on Saturday 25^th of February 2017 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta.

The SportMalta Awards- Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali, have developed year after year since their inception over 55 years ago where during the first edition in 1960, Wilfred Pirotta was awarded with the annual Sportsman Award: an event which has flourished in its popularity and participation from associations and federations, sports journalists and the general public.

A number of new categories have been introduced over the years. This year’s edition that will recognize the achievements in the different levels of sports will comprise of the below categories:

Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Official of the Year, Male and Female Youth of the year and Award for the best initiative for the organization of an international event in Malta., Male and Female Special Olympics Award, Best Gozitan Athlete and the SportMalta Award selected by the general public.

During a press conference, Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Research, innovation, Youth and Sport expressed his satisfaction that for yet another year two entities are working together towards a single goal. He stated that such a small country like Malta which is lacking in human resources cannot afford to operate in tribes. He emphasized that there should also be mutual respect between  atheletes, coaches, adminitrators and journalists. He said that during this last year certain unplesant incidents have been associated with sports but he claimed that this should not affect the celebration of Sport through the SportMalta Awards- Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali.

Mark Cutajar, Chairman of the Organizing Committee stated that although he understands that this event is a celebration of talent he is aware that the expense invested to organize such an occasion must be reasonable and taken with responsibility. He also mentioned the importance of transparency in the selection process and assured that it is a transparent and fair procedure which is another goal reached by the organizing committee. He gave details about the final night which will take place on the 25^th of February at The Mediterranean Conference Centre and hosted by Pamela Schembri. He announced that the certificate giving ceremony prior to the final night will also take place at this venue on the 7^th of February 2017. He mentioned the awards in the categories mainly Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Official of the Year, Male and Female Youth of the year and Award for the best initiative for the organization of an international event in Malta, Male and Female Special Olympics Award, Best Gozitan Athlete and the SportMalta Award selected by the general public. The event will provide a spectacular and entertaining performance. Mr Cutajar concluded by thanking the CEO of the Public Broadcasting Service , John Bundy whereby for another year the national broadcasting service will be transmitting live on TVM 2 the event which is going to be even more spectacular than previous years.

Sandro Micallef, General Secretary of the Malta Sports Journalists Association thanked SportMalta for accepting to conjointly organise these awards for the eighth consecutive year. He appealed to the secretaries of the Associations to actively participate in the nomination phase which closes on the 20^th of January. Mr Micallef also encouraged the sports journalists to give their contribution in the judging phase so that from 10 finalists the number is reduced to 5 participants before the voting stage during the final night.

Luciano Busuttil, Chairman of SportMalta said that this celebration serves as a showcase of talent of our sports people who act as role models for those persons who wish to make that extra effort and take up sport as a profession.

History behind the Awards

55 years have elapsed since the much esteemed Benny Pace dreamed of creating these awards through his journal “The Sporting Star’, during this time the choice was solely in the hands of the general public who voted for their preferred sportsperson whom they believed deserved to win. Following this initial phase the responsibility of the voting was passed on to the members of the Sports Journalists Association who used the traditional numerical sign system to cast their preferences during the event itself, later in the years this voting process used to take place some days before. However the organising committee made the decision to revert to the original live voting of course utilising modern technology in a more professional and advanced way.

SportMalta conveys its condolences to the family of Lino Bugeja upon his demise today at the age of 86 years.

Lino Bugeja was an avid contributor in the journalistic field in particular in the areas of education, culture, sports and environmental protection.

Amongst his many attributes, Lino Bugeja has provided an invaluable contribution to the field of sports as he was a historic researcher on the Olympics and for many years lecturer at the Olympic Academy. Moreover he was one of the first athletes to represent Malta in the very first edition of the Mediterranean Games held in Alessandria in the 50s. Following this experience he became founding member of the Sports Education Centre and also Secretary of the Maltese Olympic Committee in the 70s. Recently Lino Bugeja’s name entered the Hall of Fame.After retiring as a football player for Vittoriosa Stars, he became coach for the Youth National Football Team. He also occupied the role of coach for the Hibernians FC

His long career has been recognized when in 2013 he received the medal for the Service to the Republic. Lino Bugeja has written numerous articles for international publications and was still contributing in the journalistic field. He will be remembered for his immense contribution in the field of historic research especially studies about his much loved town Vittoriosa. Lino Bugeja will be reminisced for his continuous support towards the environment through various writings and through the Ramblers Malta Club of which he was the founder.

SportMalta has finalised another capital project through financial assitance given to The Malta Judo Federation to build a new pavilion in Pembroke. The venue with an investment of 100,000 euros was inaugurated in the presence of Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport, high officials from SportMalta, the executive committee of The Judo Federation and a number of athletes and other guests.

‘We are delivering what we promised in assisting minor sports through funding’ said the Parliamentary Secretary, Chris Agius. He stated that SportMalta is ensuring that the funds reach a wide spectrum of sports disciplines. He mentioned that the strategy adopted is to make sure that capital investment is directed towards sports that can be most effective in winning medals in international competitions thus making a dream come true. He referred to the recent launch of the consultation period of the National Sports Policy and encouraged everyone and all stakeholders to voice their opinions so as to have one common national policy that reaches out to all involved. The Parliamentary Secretary guaranteed that the governement will be supporting the Malta Olympic Committee’s bid to host the next Small Nations’ Games and stated that the Judo Facility actually serves this purpose.

Mark Cutajar, CEO of SportMalta said that through these premises more children and youths will be practising the sport of Judo. He stated that SportMalta first addressed its facilities by making sure that they are maximazed to their full potential and then moved to assisting associations so that the number of participants is increased. The Judo Federation is one of the very first associations to benefit form this support together with the current infrastructural works that are ongoing at The National Pool Complex and The Basketball Pavilion. He also made reference to the biggest project to date at the Maria Assunta School which will result in premises with the ability to host a number of sport disciplines under one roof.

Envic Galea, President of the Malta Judo Federation said that he is satisfied that a dream that lasted for 40 years has finally become a reality. He mentioned that the Federation is now in a position to embark in a project to attract more children towards the sports by using the premises for children attending schools in the area.

During the upcoming year SportMalta will continue to assist other associations through such schemes so as to broaden professional sports across all borders.

“Volunteers should be recognized for their work, whilst the government does its utmost to provide them with the necessary skills that are recognized and certified” said Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport during the official opening of the seminar Engaging Skillful Volunteers. The seminar marks the opening of the series of events related to sports for the Maltese Presidency of the European Union.

The Parliamentary Secretary stated that although a lot of progress has been made in this sector we are still a long way in reaching our goal of having full-timers working with sports associations. He insisted that such courses are thus very important in giving the opportunity to our volunteers to be acknowledged for their work. He mentioned that this seminar precedes the HR Expert Group meeting to be hosted by Malta the following day. The experts forming part of this group are discussing important themes such as sport diplomacy, dual careers and the voluntary sector.

The one day seminar tackled a number of issues related to volunteering in sport such as good governance and the role of the volunteer. There were also a number of workshops during which participants could learn more about good practices that already exist in other countries and topics such as the role of the parents as volunteers, volunteering that leads to a career in sports and volunteering during mega events.

During his speech Mark Cutajar, Director General of Sports and the Chief Executive of SportMalta said that it is an honour for SportMalta to be entrusted by the Ministry of Education to organize all the work related to sports in relation to the Presidency. Social inclusion and volunteering are Malta’s priorities for the Presidency and so this seminar represents the first initiative in a wide and long process leading to conclusions at the end of the term. Mr. Cutajar mentioned also the authoring of Sports Work Plan of the European Union entrusted to SportMalta that presents numerous challenges as it needs to bring together the ideas of the 28 member states. Moreover he said that March will certainly be an eventful month as Malta will host the European Sports Forum, The European Youth Sport Forum and the Directors’ General Meeting amongst other activities.

The seminar was attended by over a hundred participants hailing from local sport associations, SportMalta employees and foreign guests. Professor Thierry Zintz from the University of Louvain in Belgium and Dr. Geoff Nichols form the University of Sheffield, UK were amongst the speakers. Representatives for the European Commission and the Slovak Presidency were also in attendance.

The official SportMalta website dedicated to the work related to the Presidency was officially launched during the seminar. The website also gives access to important documents to be used during the meetings that will be organized in Malta.

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