Finalists announced

The Ghaqda Kittieba Sports (GhKS) yesterday announced its list of finalists for the 2004 Sportivi Nazzjonali contest. Winners will be announced on January 29 at the Radisson SAS, St Julian's.

Charles Camenzuli, GhKS president, said the list of finalists was determined according to a points system devised by a sub-committee formed of Benny Pace, Mario Meli and Chris Cassar. The formula seeks to recognise the feats achieved by athletes in local and international competitions last year.

Among those shortlisted in the six categories of the contest's 44th edition, is shooter William Chetcuti. He is in contention to win the Sportsman of the Year award for an unprecedented third year in a row.

The 'Bidnija prodigy' was named for the award along with snooker's Alex Borg, sailor Mario Aquilina, Footballer of the Year Stefan Giglio and Darren Gilford, of athletics.

A different athlete will collect the Sportswoman of the Year honour as 2003 winner Tanya Blake does not figure among the finalists this time.

Bowlers Sue Abela and Melissa Anastasi, Lisa Camenzuli, of tennis, swimmer Angela Galea and triathlete Maria Mifsud Bonnici are the finalists for this award.

The late Charles Mifsud, former president of the Malta Amateur Weightlifting Association, is among the finalists in the Official of the Year category.

Camenzuli lauded Mifsud's work in the development of his favourite sport on our islands. A minute's silence was observed in his respect.

Robbie Ebejer (Aquatic Sports Association), Envic Galea (Malta Judo Federation), Joe Mifsud (Malta FA) and Peter Valentino (Malta Sailing Federation) are the other finalists in the category.

Benji Borg and the women's basketball team, both 2003 award winners, were again among the finalists in the U-17 Athlete of the Year and Team of the Year respectively.

Daniela Borg and Stephen Fenech, from the Malta Wheelchair Dance Sport Association, will be honoured by the GhKS for their achievements in 2004.

GhKS members will receive voting documents by post. Closing date for voting is January 26.

Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport chairman Franco Azzopardi said his organisation was launching a competition in sports reporting and photography for children. This initiative was being organised in conjunction with the Education Channel and the Junior News section of The Times.

Details of the competition will be published on January 26.

The finalists

Sportsman of the Year: M. Aquilina (sailing), A. Borg (snooker), W. Chetcuti (shooting), S. Giglio (football), D. Gilford (athletics).

Sportswoman of the Year: S. Abela, M. Anastasi (both bowling), L. Camen-zuli (tennis), A. Galea (swimming), M. Mifsud Bonnici (triathlon).

Team of the Year: Women's basketball team, Elusive crew, rugby national team, snooker national team, bowling national team.

Official of the Year: R. Ebejer (aquatic sport), E. Galea (judo), C. Mifsud (weightlifting), J. Mifsud (football), P. Valentino (sailing).

U-17 Athlete of the Year: M. Asciak (tennis), B. Borg (sailing), T. Caran-nante (bowling), D. Mangion (swimming), R. Muscat (cycling).

Disabled athletes: D. Borg, S. Fenech (Malta Wheelchair Dance Sport).