Barnes, Bonini to attend presentation night

Liverpool legend John Barnes and Massimo Bonini, the former Juventus stalwart, have been unveiled as special guests for the presentation night of the 2009 SportMalta Awards - L-Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali.

Barnes and Bonini have confirmed their attendance for the award ceremony, to be held on January 16 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, after discussions with officials from the Kunsill Malti għall-Isport, who are co-organising this annual contest with the Għaqda Ġurnalisti tal-Isport (GħĠS).

Jamaican-born Barnes spent the best years of his playing career with Liverpool with whom he collected a host of honours, including two English league championsips and two FA Cups. Barnes, 46, also played 79 games for England, scoring 11 goals.

The 50-year-old Bonini enjoyed great success during his long spell with Juventus. With the Turin giants, Bonini won three Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, one European Cup, one Cup Winners' Cup, one Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup.

Bonini represented Italy at U-21 level and figured 19 times for the national team of San Marino.

Meanwhile, the voting process for the Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali is gaining momentum as members of the GħĠS have started to submit their voting documents. Earlier this week, the organisers named the five finalists in each of the five categories - Sportsman of the Year, Sportswoman of the Year, Best U-17 Athlete, Team of the Year and Official of the Year.

The finalists in the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year categories are in contention for two new prizes. The two winners of the KMS's SportMalta awards will emerge from a voting process involving sports journalists, association delegates and the public.