Footballer Michael Mifsud, athlete Francesca Xuereb and MFA president Dr Joseph Mifsud won the top honours in yesterday’s national sporting contests for the past year.
Michael Mifsud was voted as the Sportsman of the year, Francesca Xuereb Sportswoman of the Year and Dr Joseph Mifsud the Official of the Year.
It was a triumphant night for young athlete Francesca Xuereb who made a double as local sports journalists, members of the Sportswriters Association, also voted her as the Under 17 athlete of the Year in that category.
Mifsud, as was widely expected, was a runaway winner in the Sportsman of the Year contest. He polled a massive 377 votes, well ahead of second placed Darren Gilford (athletics) who polled 264 votes. Third was Gary Curmi (Drag Racing) who obtained 196 votes.
The Sportswoman of the Year contest was a closer affair with Francesca Xuereb polling 291 votes, just seven ahead of second placed Marcon Bezzina (Judo) who got 284. Third was another athlete, Charlene Attard, who received 261 votes.
Another close affair was the contest to choose the Official of the Year.
In this category, Dr Joseph Mifsud was involved in another close battle as the one he was involved in last July when he had defeated challenger Norman Darmanin Demajo to the post of MFA president. Then he had won by just one vote. This time he polled 273 votes, 12 more than two contestants who polled the same number of votes – 261. These were Anthony Chircop (athletics) and Anthony Debono (horse-racing). Chircop was declared second as he obtained 31 first preferences to Debono’s 22.
Football was also the winner of the Team of the Year contest. The men’s national team polled 285 votes to the 259 of the women’s rugby team, which had to be content with second place. Third was the Under 18 women’s basketball national team with 241 votes.
Francesca Xuereb made it a memorable double after being named Under 17 athlete of the year, thus being presented with the John Debattista Trophy. She polled 322 votes. Second was sailing’s Benji Borg with 298 and third was Francesca’s sister Martina (athletics) with 229.
The following Special Olympics athletes were also given due recognition: Sylvana Cassar (swimming), Chris Gregory (swimming), Alexia Wetz (swimming), Nathalie Galea (gymnastics) and Brian Muscat (gymnastics).
Veteran sports journalist Mario Meli was also given due recognition for his sterling services and contribution to sports during the years.
Finally, Athletics Malta was named as the best for an international activity held in Malta during 2007. It organised successfully the Calendar Conference of the European Athletics Association.