National Lottery plc and the Malta Sports Journalists Association (MSJA) are pleased to announce that Lydan Debono won the sixth IZIBET Elite Athlete Award for 2024, covering the months of November and December.

On Saturday 9th November, Lydan Debono was crowned Blackball World Champion beating English player Dean Shields 10-5 in the World Blackball Championship’s final held in Malta.

Debono faced an early challenge, losing the opening two frames of the best-of-19 final. However, the determined Maltese player maintained his composure, mounting an impressive comeback by winning five consecutive frames. The Englishman momentarily halted Debono’s momentum by clinching the eighth frame, but that was just a temporary reprieve as Debono claimed the next three frames to surge 8-3 ahead. Even though Shields narrowed the gap to 9-5, Debono was flawless with a fine table clearance in the 15th frame to seal a 10-5 victory.

Franco de Gabriele, Chief Commercial Officer of IZI Group commented “Lydan’s achievement on the world stage is a testament to his unwavering dedication and talent. Winning the Blackball World Championship is no small feat, and his ability to rise to the occasion under pressure is truly commendable. At IZIBET, we are proud to support and celebrate Maltese sporting excellence, and Lydan’s success further reinforces the value of hard work and perseverance in achieving greatness.”

Clinton Buhagiar, President of the Malta Sports Journalists Association said, “The bravery Lydan demonstrated in the final was truly remarkable. His relentless dedication and continuous training throughout the year have paved the way for this success, making his victory at the World Championships no surprise to me. The sport of blackball is steadily gaining popularity in our country, and I am confident that Lydan will continue to excel and inspire others in this discipline.”

The IZIBET Elite Athlete Award recognises exceptional performances by local athletes and is awarded every two months.

A selection board composed of sports journalists and sports observers is responsible for evaluating the athlete’s achievements during the designated review periods, ensuring a fair and thorough assessment process.

In the meantime, the official website of the Malta Sports Journalists Association https://www.maltasportsjournalists.com/izibet-elite-athlete-award/ provides the rules and regulations governing the award.

Photo caption: (From left) James Morgan Brand Manager for IZIBET, Lydan Debono, Clinton Buhagiar (President of the Malta Sports Journalists Association) and Stephen Azzopardi (Administrator of the Malta Sports Journalists Association).