The Maltese Olympic Committee announced the finalists of the 19th Edition of the annual Gala Sports Awards which will take place on Wednesday 7th December at the Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa in Attard.
Having been cancelled for two consecutive years, these Awards will be making a welcome return. Athletes will be recognised for their accomplishments during the competition period November 2019 – October 2022.
Award Categories start from the Special Award, followed by Bronze, Silver and Gold and will be bestowed based on the results achieved in major international competitions organised under the auspices of the International Federation of the athletes’ respective sport or a recognised and reputable International Sport Organisation. Awards for Special Achievements, Olympians and special category within the Hall of Fame will be presented.
This year’s Awards will take into consideration results achieved in high level games such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Mediterranean Games, and the European Youth Olympic Festival amongst other international events for which Maltese athletes brought success to Malta.
“We are looking forward to honouring those athletes whose performances on the international sporting scene brought moments of pride for Malta. Whilst the pandemic saw many events postponed or toned down, Malta was well represented abroad, and it is time to honour our athletes’ commitment, dedication, and sacrifice” explained Julian Pace Bonello, President, Maltese Olympic Committee. “Apart from the medals achieved in games such as Commonwealth Games, European Youth Olympic Festival and the Mediterranean Games, athletes competing in other sporting events obtained notable results for which they will also be honoured”
These athletes and teams will be awarded for their achievements when representing Malta in international championships. Submissions for consideration were made by National Federations affiliated to the MOC. Submissions were vetted by MOC Technical Commission led by Director of Sport Charlene Attard and approved by the MOC Executive board.
Local Council Awards
The Local Council Award will be given to those localities who gave their support towards sporting activity. This year, the MOC received 7 submissions for consideration. The criteria for consideration were based on activities organised within the locality, including schools in that area, any seminars conducted relating to sports and fitness, any assistance given to local sporting associations as well as the contribution towards the maintenance and building of sporting facilities.
Hall of Fame
The Maltese Olympic Committee will also be announcing several inductees to its Hall of Fame. Approval for this honour is based on their reputation of high integrity and whose contributions, both in the field of play as well as in the administrative roles they occupied, have left an indelible mark in their respective fields.
The 2022 MOC Gala Sports Awards are being supported by Olympic Solidarity, European Olympic Committee, SportMalta, Full Marks/Joma, St. James Hospital Planet Physio, Welbee’s, The National Lottery, MITA (Malta Information Technology Agency), General Soft Drinks, Vini e Capricci, Medical Laboratory Services, Sterling Jewellers, AF Printworks Josies Bathrooms and Avanza Academy.
The 2022 MOC Gala Sports Awards will be live streamed on the Olympic Committee’s Facebook page and aired live on TVM Sports+ on Wednesday 7th December, at 2030hrs
2021 and 2022 MOC Gala Sports Awards Finalists
Athletics Malta
Claire Azzopardi, Dillon Cassar, Steve Camilleri, Peppijna Dalli, Matthew Galea Soler, Beppe Grillo, Jordan Guzman, Benjamin Micallef, Janet Richard, Daniel Saliba, Roberta Schembri, Carla Scicluna, Charlotte Wingfield, Jeremy Zammit
Aquatic Sports Association of Malta
Ana Culic, Sasha Gatt, Zea Montfort, Emily Ruggier, Under-15 Water polo Team, Under-16 Men’s Waterpolo Team, Under-19 Men’s Waterpolo Team, Senior Men’s Waterpolo Team
Badminton Malta
Francesca Clark, Martina Clark, Jeremy Gatt,
Federazzjoni Lotta
Gary Giordimaina
Għaqda Regatta Nazzjonali u Qdif Ieħor
Ivan Cassar, Kurt Cassar, Joseph Grima, Mark Schembri, Kyle Spagnol
Malta Basketball Association
Men’s’ National Team
Malta Billiards & Snooker Association
Duncan Bezzina, Philip Ciantar
Malta Bowling Association
Sue Abela, Mauro Anastasi, Kenneth Arpa, Rankin Camilleri, Tiziana Carranante, Cynthia Duca, Kayden Lagana, Matthew Magro, Dennis Mercieca, Nicholas Muscat, Nicolai Mallia, Mark Spiteri, Melissa Swift, Dwayne Zahra
Malta Cycling Federation
Marie Claire Aquilina, Daniel Bonello, Luke Borg, Jacob Schembri, Jason Vella
Malta Horse Racing Club
Clifferty Calleja, Rodney Gatt
Malta Federation of Body Building & Fitness
Lazam Abraz, Sabrina Grima, Mahmut Rajab
Malta Football Association
Haley Bugeja
Malta Golf Association
Nicholas Beck, Andrew Borg, Ruud Critien, Laurens Schulze Doering, JJ Verelst Micallef
Malta Judo Federation
Katryna Esposito
Malta Karate Federation
Luke Galea
Malta Pool Association
Dejan Grech, Alessio Magro, Scott Muscat, Ryan Pisani
Malta Sailing Federation
Max Koerner, Antonia Schultheis, Richard Schultheis, Victoria Schultheis
Malta Shooting Federation
Marlon Attard, Clive Farrugia
Malta Squash Association
Julian Scerri, Kijan Sultana, Lijana Sultana
Malta Table Football Sports Association
Jurgen Balzan, Samuel Bartolo, Jamie Bonnici, Derek Conti, Mark Gauci, Jason Pisani, Valletta Subbuteo Club
Malta Taekwondo Association
Michaela Scerri
Malta Tennis Federation
Matthew Asciak, Francesca Curmi, Alex Degabriele, Darryl Delicata, Liam Delicata, Jessica Dimech, Elaine Genovese, Helene Pellicano, Dwayne Pullicino
Malta Triathlon Federation
Kai Azzopardi
Malta Weightlifting Association
Kim Camilleri Lagana, Tenishia Thornton, Yasmin Zammit Stevens, National Mixed Team
