Over one hundred Athletes honoured at the Maltese Olympic Committee Sports Awards
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 affiliiated 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 refereing, 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,”said 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.
Special Award
Federation of Body Builders Antoine Zerafa
Aleksey Babadjanov
Michelle Vella Wood Alexander Pettett James Mifsud Etienne Bonello
Kurt Attard Ayrton Ciangura Edward Xuereb Matthew Magro Juliana Bonanno Shadon Psaila Nicholas Muscat
Graham Borg
Bronze Award
Aquatic Sports Association of Malta Matthew Zammit Michael Stafrace Matthew Galea Michael Umnov Andrew Chetcuti
Ian Paul Grech Rebecca Sare Bocce Raffa David Farrugia
Blanche Coppola Ralph Decelis
Samuel Borg Melanie Schembri Waite
Etienne Bonello Maurice Formosa James Mifsud Alexander Pettett
Nicholas Beck Andrew Borg Ruud Critien JJ Verelst Micallef
Rodney Zammit
Bozidar Dimitrov Malta Table Football Sports Association Massimo Cremona Angelo Borg Hansel Mallia Samuel Bartolo
Justin Caruana Mauro Anastasi
Francesca Curmi Elaine Genovese Matthew Asciak Omar Sudzuka
Hannah Pace
Silver Award
Aquatic Sports Association of Malta Michael Umnov Andrew Chetcuti Charlotte Wingfield Rachel Fitz Sarah Busuttil Annalise Vassallo Bocce Raffa Stefan Farrugia David Farrugia Federation of Body Builders
Ralph Decelis
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
Frans Pace Eleanor Bezzina
Mark Spiteri
Viktoria Lucenkova Jessica Pace Elaine Genovese Francesca Curmi
Matthew Camilleri Keiran Mifsud Kyle Micallef Elisa Scicluna Yasmin Zammit Stevens
Gold Award
Malta Basketball Association Josephine Grima (c) Hannah Al-Tumi Maria Bonett Samantha Brincat Elena Cassar Christina Curmi Stephanie De Martino Christina Grima Nicola Handreck Gabriella Mifsud Sarah Pace Ashleigh Vella
Marie Claire Aquilina John Jr Verelst Micallef Emma Grech Gary Giordimaina
Carmel Cilia (Coach) Kevin Mercieca Anton Cuschieri Johan Attard Christ Tabone Antoine Aquilina Philip Zammit
Noel Baldacchino
Gianluca Chetcuti Nathan Lee Xuereb
Colette Sultana Kimberley Galea Johanna Rizzo
Sue Abela Justin Caruana Sara Xuereb Malta Table Football Sports Association
Massimo Cremona
Platinum Award
Malta Amateur Athletics Association
Charlotte Wingfield
Anton Cuschieri
Sue Abela Tiziana Carannante Sue Abela Sara Xuereb
Local Councils Award
1st Place – Mellieħa 2nd Place – Qormi 3rd Place - Dingli