The Maltese Olympic Committee hosted the sixteenth edition of the annual Sports Awards on Thursday 7th December at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard.
Throughout the evening, sporting accomplishments in the international arena, achieved by over one hundred athletes, representing twenty two affiliated Federations were acknowledged.
Following a careful vetting process of their achievements athletes were presented with one of the five award categories given out on the evening – Special, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
“The Maltese Olympic Committee firmly believes in rewarding athletes who have made significant contributions in their field – not just by producing strong results on an international scene but also who through their behaviour inspire other athletes to work hard and achieve their goals” remarked Julian Pace Bonello, President of the Maltese Olympic Committee.
The evening also saw Antonio Briguglio and Ġuzi Grech being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Antonio Briguglio has for the past fifty years contributed to a number of sporting federations in various roles which included refereeing, administration and media relations. Former Billiards and Snooker world champion Ġuzi Grech, was one of the very few players who took part in both snooker and billiards competitions and achieving high levels results in the process.
A number of Local Councils were also recognised for their efforts in promoting sports within their respective localities.
The MOC Sports Awards this year also unveiled a new trophy. The trophy, designed and manufactured by Joe Galea of Heritage Homes combines Maltese materials and history. The shape evolves from the form of a neolithic fossil, whilst prominently displaying the Maltese cross, which is a significant part of the MOC logo.
“The Organising Committee has worked hard to ensure that our athletes get the recognition they deserve for their commitment to their chosen sport. We understand and appreciate the amount of sacrifice these athletes undergo to make Malta proud. This evening is all about that” William Beck, Chairperson, MOC Sports Awards Organising Committee.
Special Guest for the evening was Italian footballer Giuseppe Giannini. Entertainment was provided by Kinetic Dance Studio and Brooke Borg whilst presenting duties were carried out by well known sports presenter Mario Bonnici.
The evening was addressed by the Hon. Dr. Clifton Grima, Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Youth and Voluntary organisations and Mr. Julian Pace Bonello, President of the Maltese Olympic Committee.
Awards Presented
Special Award
| Malta Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness | Antoine Zerafa |
| Malta Canoe Federation | Aleksey Babadjanov |
| Malta Cycling Federation | Michelle Vella Wood |
| Alexander Pettett | |
| James Mifsud | |
| Etienne Bonello | |
| Malta Tenpin Bowling Association | Kurt Attard |
| Ayrton Ciangura | |
| Edward Xuereb | |
| Matthew Magro | |
| Juliana Bonanno | |
| Shadon Psaila | |
| Nicholas Muscat | |
| Malta Triathlon Federation | Graham Borg |
Bronze Award
| Aquatic Sports Association of Malta | Matthew Zammit |
| Michael Stafrace | |
| Matthew Galea | |
| Michael Umnov | |
| Andrew Chetcuti | |
| Malta Amateur Athletics Association | Ian Paul Grech |
| Rebecca Sare | |
| Bocce Raffa | David Farrugia |
| Malta Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness | Blanche Coppola |
| Ralph Decelis | |
| Malta Canoe Federation | Samuel Borg |
| Melanie Schembri Waite | |
| Malta Cycling Federation | Etienne Bonello |
| Maurice Formosa | |
| James Mifsud | |
| Alexander Pettett | |
| Malta Golf Association | Nicholas Beck |
| Andrew Borg | |
| Ruud Critien | |
| JJ Verelst Micallef | |
| Malta Judo Federation | Rodney Zammit |
| Malta Shooting Federation | Bozidar Dimitrov |
| Malta Table Football Sports Association | Massimo Cremona |
| Angelo Borg | |
| Hansel Mallia | |
| Samuel Bartolo | |
| Malta Tenpin Bowling Association | Justin Caruana |
| Mauro Anastasi | |
| Malta Tennis Federation | Francesca Curmi |
| Elaine Genovese | |
| Matthew Asciak | |
| Omar Sudzuka | |
| Malta Triathlon Federation | Hannah Pace |
Silver Award
| Aquatic Sports Association of Malta | Michael Umnov |
| Andrew Chetcuti | |
| Malta Amateur Athletics Association | Charlotte Wingfield |
| Rachel Fitz | |
| Sarah Busuttil | |
| Annalise Vassallo | |
| Bocce Raffa | Stefan Farrugia |
| David Farrugia | |
| Malta Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness | Ralph Decelis |
| Malta Cycling Federation | Stephanie Alden |
| Marie Claire Aquilina | |
| Michelle Vella Wood | |
| Maurice Formosa | |
| Malta Rugby Football Union | Rhodrie Apsee; Daniel Holliday; Anthony Harvey; Darren Deguara; Clayton Cassar; Dan Apsee; Mark Davey; Luke Watts; Tom Holloway; Toby Quarandon; Chris Dudman; Dominic Busuttil; Robert Holloway; James Kirk; James Obrien; Mathew Spiteri; Dragan Cerketa; Harry Collins; Benji Borg; Andrew Vella; Julian Galea; Rory Obrien; George Hepburn |
| Malta Shooting Federation | Frans Pace |
| Eleanor Bezzina | |
| Malta Tenpin Bowling Association | Mark Spiteri |
| Table Tennis Association | Viktoria Lucenkova |
| Jessica Pace | |
| Malta Tennis Federation | Elaine Genovese |
| Francesca Curmi | |
| Malta Weightlifting Association | Matthew Camilleri |
| Keiran Mifsud | |
| Kyle Micallef | |
| Elisa Scicluna | |
| Yasmin Zammit Stevens |
Gold Award
| Malta Basketball Association | Josephine Grima (captain); Hannah Al-Tumi; Maria Bonett; Samantha Brincat; Elena Cassar; Christina Curmi; Stephanie De Martino; Christina Grima; Nicola Handreck; Gabriella Mifsud; Sarah Pace; Ashleigh Vella |
| Malta Cycling Federation | Marie Claire Aquilina |
| Malta Golf Association | John Junior Verelst Micallef |
| Malta Karate Federation | Emma Grech |
| Lotta Maltija | Gary Giordimaina |
| Malta Pool Association | Carmel Cilia (Coach); Kevin Mercieca; Anton Cuschieri; Johan Attard; Christ Tabone; Antoine Aquilina; Philip Zammit |
| Malta Racing Club | Noel Baldacchino |
| Malta Shooting Federation | Gianluca Chetcuti |
| Nathan Lee Xuereb | |
| Malta Squash Association | Colette Sultana |
| Kimberley Galea | |
| Johanna Rizzo | |
| Malta Tenpin Bowling Association | Sue Abela |
| Justin Caruana | |
| Sara Xuereb | |
| Malta Table Football Sports Association | Massimo Cremona |
Platinum Award
| Malta Amateur Athletics Association | Charlotte Wingfield |
| Malta Pool Association | Anton Cuschieri |
| Malta Tenpin Bowling Association | Sue Abela |
| Tiziana Carannante | |
| Sue Abela | |
| Sara Xuereb |
Local Councils Award
1st Place – Mellieħa
2nd Place – Qormi
3rd Place – Dingli
