The national sporting contests (2004), organized by the Sportswriters Association, will come to an end this evening at the SAS Radisson Baypoint Resort where the winners of the various categories will be announced.

The contests are in their 45th edition. They had been started by journalist Benny Pace in 1960.

The major personality this year will be former top Italian athlete Livio Berruti who had won an Olympic gold medal for Italy in the 200m at the Rome Olympic Games in 1960, where he had also set a world record in the semi-final.

The following other personalities will be announcing the winners: Jesmond Giordemaina (Sportsman), Helen Asciak (sportswoman), Louis Micallef (official), Victor Scerri (team), Jean Paul Fleri Soler (Under 17 athlete) and Joseph Micallef (athlete with a disability).

The finalists in all the categories:

Sportsman of the Year: Mario Aquilina (sailing), Alex Borg (snooker), William Chetcuti (shooting), Stefan Giglio (football), Darren Gilford (athletics).

Sportswoman of the Year: Sue Abela (bowling), Melissa Anastasi (bowling), Lisa Camenzuli (tennis), Angela Galea (swimming), Maria Mifsud Bonnici (triathlon).

Team of the Year: Basketball – national women’s team; Sailing – Elusive crew (Middle Sea Race); Rugby – national team; Snooker – national team; Bowling – national team.

Official of the Year: Robbie Ebejer (waterpolo); Envic Galea (Judo), Charles Mifsud (weightlifting), Dr Joseph Mifsud (football), Peter Valentino (sailing).

Under 17 athlete: Matthew Asciak (tennis), Benji Borg (sailing), Tiziana Carannante (bowling), Divinia Mangion (swimming), Roderick Muscat (cycling).

Disabled athletes: Daniela Borg and Stephen Fenech (both of the Malta Wheelchair Dance Sport Association).

The event is being televised live by Net TV, starting at 8pm.