20th edition of the annual MOC Gala Sports Awards celebrates a successful year of sport

The Maltese Olympic Committee hosted the 20th edition of its an‐ nual Gala Sports Awards, an evening dedicated to celebrating the pinnacle of athletic achieve‐ ment in Malta.

This annual event brings to‐ gether the nation's sporting elite who are honoured for their out‐ standing accomplishments in the international sporting scene. This year was particularly special due to the success Malta achieved in the Games of the Small States of Europe which were hosted in Malta in June and which resulted in Malta achieving the highest ever medal tally.

The Maltese Olympic Committee Gala Sports Awards brings to‐ gether Malta’s sporting elite, rec‐ ognizing and celebrating their exceptional achievements on the global sports stage.

This year holds unique signifi‐ cance, fueled by Malta's remark‐ able success in the Games of the Small States of Europe, held locally in June. This historic event not only showcased Malta’s athletic prowessbut also propelled Malta to its highest‐ever medal count. The Maltese Olympic Committee thoroughly evaluated all nomina‐ tions received by means to a newly introduced Awards criteria struc‐ ture.

The changes were designed to reflect, more appropriately, the nature of each athlete’s nominated competition result, ensuring that the recognition bestowed is not only well‐deserved but also tai‐ lored to the unique accomplish‐ ments achieved on the grand stage of international competition.

As a result, 56 athletes and teams were presented with an award on the evening. The highest honour of the evening, the Gold Award, was presented to Clayton Castaldi, who wrote the history books in the game of pool in Malta when he was crowned world champion after triumphing in the singles tournament final that was played in Agadir, Morocco. Castaldi was the first‐ever Maltese player to lift the world title in the singles com‐ petition.

Games of the Small States of Europe

The evening also saw the distri‐ bution of financial bonuses to medal winners at the Games hosted in Malta earlier on this year. unanimous decision to pres‐ ent these bonuses during the Gala Sports Awards was taken in col‐ laboration with the National Fed‐ erations and concerned athletes earlier on this year.

All GSSE Medal winners were also presented with a special me‐ mento highlighting their achieve‐ ment in the Games.

Deputy President Paul Sultana remarked that, “the 20th Edition of the MOC Gala Sports Awards emphasize the fact that Maltese athletes have embraced a compet‐ itive spirit, moving beyond mere participation.

“This approach serves as a pow‐ erful motivation, inspiring height‐ ened dedication and effort. Today's celebration stands as a prime example of the positive out‐ comes that stem from this com‐ mitted mindset.”

Hall of Fame

The Maltese Olympic Committee inducted two prominent figures of Maltese sport, Robert Ebejer and Jack Schiavone, into its coveted Hall of Fame, which gives recogni‐ tion to those athletes, officials, ad‐ ministrators and sports journalists who in their work have strived and worked to spread the spirit of the Olympic ideals.

Robert Ebejer has an illustrious career to his name. A former pres‐ ident of the Aquatic Sports Associ‐ ation of Malta, a post he held for 17 years he was also elected as LEN Bureau Member. In 2003 he won Official of the Year Award from Għaqda Kittieba Sports and in 2012 recognised by SportMalta for his contribution to Maltese sport. His efforts saw Malta host the Eu‐ ropean Swimming and Diving Championships which saw Malta welcome over 1000 participants from 28 coutnries. Still very active on the local scene, he is an ASA Honorary President and an Hon‐ orary member of LEN.

The second Hall of Fame in‐ ductee for the evening was the late cyclist Jack Schiavone. Cycling was a huge and essential part of his life.

Twice "National Road Cham‐ pion" 1999 and 2002 and twice the national Time Trial champion in 2003 and 2004. Jack repre‐ sented Malta in several interna‐ tional competitions, including, the Mediterranean Games, Common‐ wealth Games, as well as several Games of the Small States of Eu‐ rope.

More recently he completed three Ironman triathlons and the brutal Marathon des Sables. A highly respected figure in the cy‐ cling community he made valuable contributions to help young cy‐ clists grow, develop and progress in this sport.

"This evening is about celebrat‐ ing our nation’s sporting pride. It fills me with immense prid to see so many achievements being recognised today.

“These athletes have forged a path of excellence through their dedication and unwavering com‐ mitment. For this I thank them but I also would like to thank the Gov‐ ernment, National Development & Social Fund, European Olympic Committees, for providing their crucial financial support, a testa‐ ment to their belief in our athletes' potential. This year, a particularly special year for Maltese sport, saw entities like the Maltese Olympic Committee, SportMalta and Gov‐ ernment work together for the good of sport and for which these results were made possible,” com‐ mended MOC President Julian Pace Bonello.

The Maltese Olympic Committee expresses its gratitude to the vari‐ ous organisations and entities who have shown their support throughout the year, SportMalta, NDSF, Olympic Solidarity, Euro‐ pean Olympic Committees, BOV, Enemed, Full Marks, Go, GSD, Heartbeat Clinic, Malta Interna‐ tional Airport, MITA, National Lot‐ tery, Planet Physio, Saint James Hospital, Sterling Jewellers, Visit‐ Malta, Welbee’s Supermarket, The Concept Stadium, Toyota, Vini e Capricci.

Award Winners Gold Award

Clayton Castaldi (Pool)

Silver Award

Sue Abela (Bowling), Under 18 Team (Pool), Scott Muscat (Pool), Katrina Micallef (Sailing), Richard Schultheis (Sailing), Marlon Attard (Shooting)

Bronze Award

U/18 National Team Women (Basketball), Lazam Abras (Body Building & Fitness): Cynthia Frendo Duca (Bowling), Kayden Lagana (Bowling), Mauro Anastasi (Bowling), Men’s Team (Golf), Dejan Grech (Pool), Men’s Team (Pool), Team U23 (Pool), Team Elusive (Sailing) Gianluca Chetcuti (Shooting), Team Malta Open (Table Football), Kim Camilleri La‐ gana (Weightlifting), Rylee Borg (Weightlifting), Tenishia Thornton (Weightlifting), Women’s Team (Weightlifting)

Special Award

Senior Waterpolo Team (Men) (Swimming), U15 MEN WATER‐ POLO National Team (Swimming), U17 WOMEN WATERPOLO Na‐ tional Team (Swimming), U17 MEN WATERPOLO National Team (Swimming), Thea Parnis Coleiro (Athletics), Roderick Theuma (Body Building and Fitness), Isaac Bezzina (Judo), Katryna Esposito (Judo), Thyis Antonelli (Karate), Team Malta (Malta Racing Club), Nordai Desira (Pool), Steven Mus‐ cat (Pool), Tonio Mifsud (Pool), Team +60 (Pool), Benjamin Vas‐ sallo (Sailing), Colette Sultana (Squash), Lijana Sultana (Squash), Alycia Cassar (Taekwondo), Michela Scerri (Taekwondo), Francesca Curmi (Tennis), Danica Bonello Spiteri (Triathlon) Kai Az‐ zopardi (Triathlon) Mixed Team (Weightlifting)

Accomplishment Award

Clive Farrugia (Shooting), Thyis Antonelli (Karate), Charles Aquilina (Table‐Football), Jason Pisani (Table‐Football), John Zam‐ mit (Table‐Football), Jurgen Balzan (Table‐Football), Mark Gauci (Table‐Football), Massimo Cremona (Table‐Football), Samuel Bartolo (Table‐Football), Team Bormla (Table‐Football), Team Valletta SC (Table‐Football), Team Veterans (Table‐Football), Francesca Curmi (Tennis), Marlon Attard (Shooting), Kayden Lagana’ (Bowlling)