SportMalta Awards L-Ghazliet Sportivi Nazzjonali The next edition of the SportMalta Awards L-Ghazliet Sportivi Nazzjonali, an event organised jointly by Kunsill Malti għall-iSport (KMS) and Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sports (GħĠS) will be held on the 21st of January 2012 at the Malta Fair and Convention Centre (MFCC) Ta Qali. This was announced in a press conference and addressed by the Chairman of the Event Organizing Committee, Mr Pippo Psaila as well as the KMS Chairman, Mr. Bernard Vassallo and the GhGS President, Mr. Charles Camenzuli. Several athletes, teams and officials who helped transform 2011 into a remarkable year for Maltese sport are in the running for the 2011 SportMalta Awards L- Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali.

Although the climax of this event will be reached with the awards ceremony on Januray 21 at the MFCC, the build-up to the big night will feature several initiatives aimed at promoting sports participation and awareness for this contest among school children including a national quiz, a roadshow targetting a total of 60 schools and a Mega Event scheduled on 18th January at the Cottonera Sports Complex. The Cottonera Sports Complex will also host an exhibition of 60 sports photos over the coming weeks. This exhibition will then be transferred to the MFCC in the week prior to the main event. A commission from the GħĠS will select the final five contenders in the main categories (sports-man, sportswoman, official, team and young athlete) and the winners will be decided by a vote involving the sportswriters association. The finalists in the sportsman and sportswoman of the year categories will be in contention for the special SportMalta Award.

The voting format for this SportMalta Award, won by table football player Massimo Cremona last year, will be as follows: · 40% of the final outcome will be based on the preferences of the GħĠS members;· 40% from the real-time voting by the presidents of the various national associations; and · 20 per cent from a public vote (SMS voting or by visiting the website www.sportmaltaawards.org.mt). Semi-finalists Sportsman of the year

The Semi Finalists in this category are:· Clayton Attard (Pool), Etienne Barbara (Football), Keith Bartolo (Open Sea), Etienne Bonello (Cycling/ Mountain Bikes), Roderick Briffa (Football - Valletta), Christopher Camilleri (Canoeing), Steve Camilleri (Water Polo), William Chetcuti (Shooting), Massimo Cremon (T'Football), Brad Hindle Deguara (Squash), Simon Giordimaina (Motor Cycling), Joseph Mifsud (Table Football), Kevin Arthur Moore (Athletics), Jeremy Saywell (Judo), Fabrio Spiteri (Triathlon) Sportswoman of the year

The Semi Finalists in this category are:· Sue Abela (Bowling), Eleonor Bezzina (Shooting), Danica Bonello Spiteri (Triathlon), Diane Borg (Athletics), Theresa Bronson (Squash), Joanna Camilleri (Judo), Rebecca Camilleri (Athletics), Roberta Cutajar (Snooker), Diane Desira (Squash), Davina Mangion (Swimming), Jessica Pace (Table Tennis) Team award

The Semi Finalists in this category are:· Artie Rolex Middle Sea Race· Football National Team Under 21, Joe Grech/Simon Zammit (Snooker), Malta National Team Under 21 Pool, National Team of Gymnastics, Rugby National Team, Sebastian Ripard/ Benji Borg, Squash Ladies National Team, Squash Men's National Team, Waterpolo National Team, 4 x 100 metres Women· 4 x 400 metres Women Official of the year

The Semi Finalists in this category are:· George Bonello de Puis ( Commodore Royal Malta Yacht Club), Jimmy Bugeja (shooting), Dione Buhagiar (Archery), Nello Calleja (Volley Ball), Terry Camilleri (Referee Snooker), Jesmond Caruana (W'Lifting), Neil Damian (Rugby Coach), Ray 'Zazu' Farrugia (Football Under 21), Alan Grima (Handball), Julian Pace Bonello (Bowling) Youth award

The Semi Finalists in this category are:· Andre Agius (Swimming), Kirsty Caruana (Gymnastics), Gian Luca Dingli (Karting), Nicole Gatt (W'Lifting, Athletics), Neil Muscat (Swimming), Nicola Muscat (Swimming), Rodmar Pulis (W'lifting), Colette Sultana (Squash), Nathan Lee Xuereb (Shooting) Event of the year

The Semi Finalists in this category are:· European Judo Championships for Cadets, IFBB Bodybuilding Mediterranean Champion Ship, Rolex Middle Sea Race.