Sultana, Cilia honoured at Westin Malta Football Awards

Various distinguished guests were present last night for the presentations ceremony of the second Westin Malta Football Awards which was held at the Westin Dragonara in St Julian's.

In all, the organisers had 11 different award winners to announce yesterday but two special mentions were also made to mark the achievements of local football personalities. These were the free-scoring Hamrun Spartans striker Stefan Sultana and former Malta international centre-half and coach to various clubs Joe Cilia.

Last February, Sultana became the best all-time scorer in Maltese football after his two goals in Hamrun's 3-1 win over Marsaxlokk at the Centenary Stadium saw his tally of 174 surpassing that of another all-time great Tony Nicholl who netted 173 times in a glittering career with Sliema Wanderers.

"Surpassing the record of a legendary figure such as Tony Nicholl is indeed a great honour," Sultana, 34, said when interviewed by The Times on February 7.

"I have not had the opportunity to see him play but my father has always maintained that he was the best striker around. He stopped playing at the age of 40 - it would be great if I can manage to stay in the spotlight until that age."

Sultana will play for Hamrun again next season. He is also acting as assistant to head coach Patrick Curmi.

Cilia officially retired from the football scene at the end of last season when he quit his post at the coaches association. He had dedicated most of his lifetime to the game, as a player and coach, always serious and never shirking any of his responsibilities on the field of play and on the sidelines.

Born on October 22, 1937, the staunch central defender first made his name with Rabat Ajax and played top division competitive football when still a 16-year-old lad.

In 1954-55 he established a record of 49 competitive matches in one season and also figured in Malta's first international match against Austria in February 1957. Between 1956 and 64 he played for Valletta FC where he led the Citizens to various honours as team skipper before moving to Australia's Melita Eagles. He was MFA Footballer of the Year twice - in 1958 and 1964.

In The Times of Malta of May 24, 1960 Wilfred B. Asciak wrote: "Cilia's headwork, positional play and uncanny knack of intercepting passes makes him a first-class footballer... Cilia has gone a bit rotund round the waist but his terrific love for the game urges him on to constant training to maintain the fitness so essential... despite his heavy build, his turn of speed is good enough to enable him to keep up with any fast centre-forward."

Superb strike

Marsaxlokk striker Johann Zammit was yesterday named as the striker with the best goal last season following his superb netting in a 3-0 win over Premier League rivals Mosta on January 12.

Zammit, 30, took possession on the three-quarter mark, dribbled past two Mosta defenders before firing an unstoppable drive into the far corner of the net.

Noel Turner, the Sliema Wanderers skipper, was named best midfielder and also the best Maltese player. Birkirkara's Lucian Dronca was also twice on the winners' list, as best defender and the most influential foreigner in the Premier League in 2002/03.

The best forward award went to Michael Galea, of Birkirkara, and Pieta's Saviour Darmanin as the top goalkeeper of the season. The most promising youngster award went to Roderick Bajada of Hamrun Spartans.

Edward Aquilina, who has just led Sliema Wanderers to a Champions League first qualifying round success over FC Skonto of Latvia, was voted as the best coach of the previous season.

Referee Charles Agius, who decided to retire at the end of the past season, and assistant referee Philip Agius, were also awarded after they were voted best performers in their respective categories.