The Maltese Olympic Committee celebrated sporting excellence at the annual Maltese Olympic Committee Sports Awards held on Friday evening in Attard.
Each year the Maltese Olympic Committee Sports Awards recognise the efforts, commitment, dedication and results achieved by local athletes competing and representing Malta in international sporting competitions organised under the auspices of the International Federation of that sport or a recognised and reputable International Sport Organisation.
With 2018 being the year of the XXII Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and the XVII Mediterranean Games in Tarragona, Maltese sport was particularly celebrating the medals won in these Games - namely Bronze Medal in Shooting (Brian Galea) and Lawn Bowls (Ladies Team) at the Commonwealth Games and the Bocci/Raffa Medal (Stefan Farrugia) in the Mediterrean Games.
However, the awards and recognition bestowed is not limited to these Games and the Maltese Olympic Committee is proud of the numerous achievements that Maltese athletes registered in various competitions around the world throughout the past year.
"The Adjudicating Committee did not have an easy job when assessing the nominations. Maltese athletes have shown nothing but dedication and sacrifice to ensure their best possible performances on the international sphere" remarked Julian Pace Bonello, President, Maltese Olympic Committee. "It is always encouraging to see returning faces to the awards meaning that these athletes are still top of their game, whilst even more reassuring to see new and young faces which means a good promise for Maltese sport especially in view of the 2023 Games of the Small States of Europe which will be hosted in Malta."
William Beck, Deputy President and Chairman of the Sports Awards Organising Committee explained that the criteria for the selection of Gold, Silver and Bronze awards were based on the results achieved in top level competitions. A number of Special Awards will be given to athletess achieved in top international competitions which were restricted by age.
Guest of honour for the evening was the San Marinese trap shooter Alessandra Perilli who has over the years collected a number of achievements on the international sporting sphere. Perilli competed in two Olympic Games - London and Rio as well as regularly participated in World Championships. More recently she won Gold Medal in Trap at the 2018 Tarragona Mediterran Games
Special Awards
Malta Amateur Athletic Association
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Jacob Elaida, Mariah Zahra, Omar Elaida, Sarah Chouhal
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Badminton Malta
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TEAM - Mark Abela & Samuel Cassar
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Body Building & Fitness
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Sabrina Villari, Chantal Graziani, Karim Ibrahim
TEAM - Blanche Coppola/Ralph Decelis
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Malta Cycling Federation
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Marie Claire Aquilina
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Malta Golf Association
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Laurens Schulze Doering
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Malta Gymnastics Federation
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Ella Borg
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Malta Pool Association
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TEAM - Malta Under 23's National Team
TEAM - Malta Over 50's National Team, Christ Mills.
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Malta Squash
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Kijan Sultana
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Malta Table Football Sports Association
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Jamie Bonnici, Charles Aquilina, Jurgen Balzan, Jeshua Bonnici, Jason Pisani, Mario Camilleri
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Malta Tennis Federation
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Francesca Curmi
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Malta Sailing Federation
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Richard Schultheis
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Bronze Award
Malta Amateur Athletic Association
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Rachel Fitz, Janet Richard, Charlotte Wingfield
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Badminton Malta
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Matthew Abela
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Basketball Association
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Women's National Team
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Malta Golf Association
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Andrew Borg
TEAM - Nicholas Beck, Andrew Borg, Ruud Critien, JJ Micallef
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Malta Karate Federation
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Joelle Farrugia
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Malta Lawn Bowls Association
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Brendan Aquilina, Shaun Parnis
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Malta Shooting Federation
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Eleanor Bezzina, Nathan Lee Xuereb
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Malta Tennis Federation
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TEAM - Helen Asciak, Elaine Genovese, Francesca Curmi, Brenda Galea, Emily Lightfoot.
TEAM - John Sciberras, Matthew Asciak, Denzil Agius, Sudzuka Omar, Matthew Cassar Torreggiani
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Malta Tenpin Bowling Association
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Sue Abela
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Malta Triathlon Federation
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Hannah Pace
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Silver Award
Bocce Raffa
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Stefan Farrugia
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Malta Golf Association
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JJ Micallef
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Malta Lawn Bowls Association
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Brendan Aquilina
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Malta Lawn Bowls Association
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TEAM - Sharon Callus, Connie Rixon, Rebecca Rixon, Rosemaree Rixon
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Malta Shooting Federation
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Brian Galea
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Malta Tennis Federation
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Elaine Genovese
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Malta Tenpin Bowling Association
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Sara Xuereb, TEAM - Sue Abela, Justin Caruana Scicluna, Sara Xuereb Mauro Anastasi
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Malta Weightlifting Association
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TEAM - Yazmin Zammit Stevens, Elisia Scicluna, Vlad Baldacchino, Matthew Camilleri, Rodmar Pulis
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Gold Award
Basketball Association
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TEAM - Men's Basketball Team
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Malta Racing Club
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Rodney Gatt
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Malta Shooting Federation
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William Chetcuti, Angelo Ciappara
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Malta Table Football Sports Association
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Samuel Bartolo
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Malta Tenpin Bowling Association
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Justin Caruana Scicluna
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Malta Weightlifting Association
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Yasmin Zammit Stevens
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Hall of Fame
Gymnastics - Albert Chun was the person who introduced competitive gymnastics to Malta in 1993 and was also the founder of the Malta Gymnastics Federation. He brought with him over 35 years of international exposure to the sport. Through his tutelage, Maltese gymnasts were able to compete in Mediterranean Games, Island Games, Games of the Small States of Europe, European, Commonwealth and World Championships, producing some good results along the way.
Basketball - Emanuel Mangani has been actively involved in Basketball for the past forty years, during which he demonstrated high values and commitment to the sport. As a local referee he has refereed top local games, demonstrating high values and respecting fair play. He has been a guiding light for coaches, players and officials throughout. In 2007 he qualified as FIBA Commissioner, regularly officiating international games since then.
Bowling - Melissa Anastasi has a numerous list of accolades and championships titles since she started the sport at the age of sixteen. She has won several Medals in her participation in various editions of the Mediterranean (Silver and Gold), Commonwealth (Silver and Bronze) and European Championships (Gold) both as an individual competitor and when competing in Ladies and Mixed Doubles.
Sailing - Jovin Rausi has been actively involved in Sailing, both as a competitor, organiser and official since 1975. He has held many offices in sailing which include Founding Member and Commodore of Għadira Sailing Club, President of the Malta Sailing Federation, and Malta Boating Association, International Jury Member of the Martini Middle Sea Races in the early 80s, as well as Chairman of the 1998 and 1999 Middle Sea Races as well as a member of the Maltese Olympic Committee. He Event Director for Sailing at the 1993 and 2003 GSSE held in Malta.