Chetcuti, Galea and rugby team in line to retain honours

There were some familiar names in this year's Sportivi Nazzjonali list of nominees which was announced yesterday during a press conference at the Education Ministry, Floriana.

Double Trap shooter William Chetcuti is a strong favourite to land his fourth successive award in the Sportsman of the Year category while swimmer Angela Galea and the Malta Rugby team are also in line to retain the honour respectively in the Sportswoman of the Year and Team of the Year categories.

Charles Camenzuli, president of the Ghaqda Kittieba Sports (GhKS), the organisers of the contest, told the media that the list of nominees was determined according to a points accumulation system devised by a sub-committee which includes awards founder Benny Pace and Mario Meli.

This formula aims to reward the feats achieved by the Maltese athletes both locally and in international competition.

Mr Camenzuli unveiled a list of 10 nominees in each category, with the exception of the Official of the Year award which includes only eight contestants.

The five finalists in the five categories will be revealed on January 14, during a meeting with Louis Galea, the Minister for Education, Youth and Employment.

Mr Camenzuli said that this year's contest featured a novelty in the voting system as the sports editors of the local newspapers and TV sports coordinators will be asked to cast their vote which will amount to 25 per cent of the overall result.

Member journalists of the GhKS will also take part in the voting procedure.

The winners of the five main categories will then be announced during the presentations night on Saturday, January 28 at a venue that is yet to be determined.

Disabled athletes will also be given recognition during the ceremony and the names of this year's winners are to be submitted by the Maltese Association for Disabled Athletes in the coming weeks.

The organisers are trying to lure a former Olympic champion to attend the presentations' night. Last year, former Italian athlete Livio Berrutti, a 200 metres gold medallist in the 1960 Rome Olympics, was the distinguished guest of the GhKS.

Mr Camenzuli also said that a veteran sports journalist will receive a special prize for his sterling contribution to sport.

Also present for yesterday's news conference was Bertie Muscat, deputy chairman at Kunsill Malti Ghall-Isport (KMS). Mr Muscat said that the Sportivi Nazzjonali awards were a significant incentive for local athletes and officials, encouraging them to step up their efforts in their on-going bid to gain positive results both locally and on the international scene.

The Nominees...

Sportsman of the Year: K. Arpa (bowling), A. Borg (snooker), C. Camilleri (horse racing), W. Chetcuti (shooting), R. Chouhal, D. Gilford (both athletics), M. Cremona (table football), S. Gerada (table tennis), R. Muscat (cycling), A. Vassallo (wrestling).

Sportswoman of the Year: S. Abela, V. Camilleri (both bowling), C. Attard, M. Bezzina, C. Walsh (all athletics), M. Bezzina (judo), L. Camenzuli (tennis), M. Formosa (archery), A. Galea (swimming), S. Magri (cycling).

Team of the Year: 4x100 men's relay team (athletics), bowling, Chaudron (powerboats), cricket, darts, pool, rugby, snooker, squash ladies national team, table-tennis.

Official of the Year: P. Balzan, J. Farrugia (both waterpolo), F. Camilleri, L. Falzon, B. Vassallo (all basketball), T. Camilleri (snooker), A. Ellul Mercer (weightlifting), J. Pace Bonello (bowling).

U-17: M. Asciak, E. Genovese, S. Sullivan (all tennis), D. Borg, L. Scerri, M. Xuereb (all athletics), K. Cremona (sailing), K. Scerri (swimming), A. Vella (wrestling), D. Vella (shooting).