It is now known that the shortlist for the Malta Olympic Committee’s Spors Awards for this year will be announced on Thursday at an official MOC Sports Awards certificate presentation. Winners of the various categories will be announced at the official gala awards ceremony at the Dolmen Resort Hotel on Thursday, December 8, which will also be broadcast on Education22 Channel at 10pm.

Most people know the benefits and importance sport contributes to the development of young people and the community by promoting positive values, teamwork, respect, discipline and fairplay. It is through sport that transcends national and social boundaries; it brings out the kind of spirit that can unite families, friends, and nations.

As we have seen in a number of sporting events held in Malta, sport can play a powerful role; through our athletes’ attempts, successes and dedication our sportsmen/women inspire and show our society how important practising sport is.

Athletes who compete and represent Malta at major events are our Sporting Ambassadors and role models for ‘Today’s Youth’; these people are an inspiration to us all. It is these people that our youngsters should be emulating and take up the challenge of sport themselves.

With this objective, value and message in mind that the Malta Olympic Committee strongly believes in organising such activities as the MOC Sports Awards as well as the Hall of Fame. This event is held every year on the 8th December this year being the fourth edition.

Through this event the MOC is contributing to help generate awareness and better following for our athletes.

The MOC Sports Awards are the premier recognition event for sporting excellence. The Awards fall into the following categories: Gold Award, Silver Award, and Bronze.

As the MOC Sports Awards night draws near, the general public and the local sporting world will be wondering who will have been recognised by the Malta Olympic Committee adjudicating board for outstanding sporting achievement for 2005.

To give an idea of what type of achievements are recognised we can look back to last year’s event where the Gold Award went to William Chetcuti (Shooting), Alex Borg (Snooker) and the National Snooker Team; Silver Awards were given to the Elusive Sailing Team, the Women’s National Basketball Team and Bronze Awards to Darren Gilford (Athletics) and Mellisa Anastasi (Tenpin Bowling).