The Sports Journalists Association (GhGS) will be holding the 53rd edition of the national sporting contests this evening at the Le Meridien Hotel in St Julian’s.

After several years that the event had been held in conjunction with the Maltese Council for Sport (KMS), the association has again taken up the sole responsibility of organising this prestigious event.

The contests were started in 1960 by the late Benny Pace and were amalgamated in 1970 with the setting up of the Sportswriters Association.

This year’s process is a little different from the past after some suggestions had been accepted by the organising committee. The sports editors and programme co-ordinators on radios and TV had a right to nominate athletes or officials for this year’s contests.

There are five categories where athletes will receive awards -  Sportsman, Sportswoman, Team, Official and Youth. There will also be special recognitions for Fair Play – recognised by Fair Play International; to a veteran journalist who helped in the development of sport in this country, to an association/federation which organised an international activity and to a disabled athlete.

Ten athletes – in one case eight – were selected by a panel of voters to earn a place in the semifinals. The finalists – five in each category – were announced earlier this month. Members of the Sports Journalists Association cast their vote in the past few days.

Former 1980 Olympic gold medal winner, Patrizio Oliva of Italy (boxer) will be the guest of honour this evening.

The finalists

Sportsman

Steve Camilleri (waterpolo), William Chetcuti (shooting), Billy Corito (boxing), Andre Schembri (football), Daniel Zahra (kickboxing).

Sportswoman

Sue Abela (tenpin bowling), Eleonor Bezzina (shooting), Rebecca Camilleri (athletics), Ylenia Carabott (football), Nicole Gatt (weightlifting/athletics).

Official

Pierre Brincat (football), Jimmy Bugeja (shooting), Jesmond Caruana (weightlifting), Karl Izzo (waterpolo), Damian Neil (rugby).

Team

National raffa (bocci) team, Women’s national football team, Men’s national Pool team, Tenpin bowling national team, Men’s national waterpolo team.

Youth (J. Debattista trophy)

Suzanne Buttigieg (gymnastics), Nicole Gatt (weightlifting/athletics), Neil Muscat (swimming), Colette Sultana (squash), Nathan Lee Xuereb (shooting).

Special recognition

Special prize: FAIR PLAY recognised by Fair Play International

Veteran journalist who helped in the development of sport in this country

An  association/federation which organised an international activity

A disabled athlete.