■ Gerald Fenech

The finalists for the 51st edition of the Ghazliet Sportivi Nazzjonali – KMS Sport Malta Awards were announced yesterday during a press conference held at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre in Ta’ Qali.

Organising Committee chairman Pippo Psaila gave various details of the build up to the actual event which will take place on the 21st of January at 8pm at the MFCC.

He said that the event should not be an end in itself but should serve as the fulcrum of a renewed interest in sport from all generations.

He said that entertainment for the final show was truly something special especially the artistic group coming from Slovenia. Psaila also outlined the various media and publicity campaigns for the event which include a number of spots on local television stations as well as other spots on radio stations.

An event is also being planned for the 18th of January where over 2200 students will be attending at the KMS Sports Complex in Cottonera to view what Psaila termed as a dry run of the actual events ceremony.

A number of billboards strategically placed alongside the busiest roads in Malta is also expected to kick off imminently.

Ghaqda Gurnalisti Sport President Charles Camenzuli also said that the voting system for the awards is expected to remain the same with appropriate weighting between journalists, editors and the general public through televoting.

The special guset for the final night which will also be transmitted live on TVM will be the legendary Italian full back, Antonio Cabrini who was announced by KMS Director Kenneth Vella.

The finalists in each category are the following:

Sportsman of the Year:

William Chetcuti, Steve Camilleri, Kevin Moore, Brad Hindle Deguara, Jeremy Saywell

Sportswoman of the Year:

Sue Abela, Danica Bonello Spiteri, Diane Borg, Rebecca Camilleri, Diane Desira

Team of the Year:

Rugby National Team, Artie Rolex Middle Sea Race Crew

Squash National Team – Men, Squash National Team Women, 4x100m women

Official of the Year:

Jimmy Bugeja, Dione Buhagiar, Jesmond Caruana, Julian Pace Bonello, Damian Neill

Under 17:

Nicole Gatt, Nicole Muscat, Rodmar Pulis, Nathan Lee Xuereb, Colette Sultana