The winners of the 65th edition of the Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali were announced on Saturday evening during a live transmission aired on TVMsport+ as well as on the Malta Sports Journalists Association’s Facebook page. The final gala night started with the Red Carpet hosted by Joanna Camilleri and Malta Sports Journalists Association’s Administrator Stephen Azzopardi.

Guest speakers during this event included the Minister responsible for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Hon. Clifton Grima and Clinton Buhagiar, President of the Malta Sports Journalists Association (MSJA). Also present the international special guest French Paralympic athlete Esteban Herrault and MSJA Honorary Presidents Fr Hilary Tagliaferro, Charles Camenzuli who is also AIPS Europe President and Sandro Micallef.

Once again three veteran sports journalists were inducted in MSJA’s Hall of Fame: Malta Sports Writers Association’s first General Secretary Joe Cutajar, the late Colin Cauchi and Mario Saliba who is still active in sports media.

This annual awards ceremony was organised by the Malta Sports Journalists Association and supported by the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research, and Innovation.

During the live show hosted by Malta Sports Journalists Association’s General Secretary Lorraine Cunningham and Mario Bonnici, a total of 12 honours were announced, seven of which were a result of the votes by the jury. The rest of the awards included the People’s Choice Award awarded by 100% SMS voting, the International Sports Event of the Year and the Sport for Social Change Award chosen by the Executive Committee of the Malta Sports Journalists Association and the other two were given out upon a nomination by Special Olympics Malta.

The honours were won as follows:

Sportsman of the Year – Neil Agius (Open Water Swimming)

Sportswoman of the Year – Tenishia Thornton (Weightlifting)

Youth Man Athlete of the Year – Jake Castaldi (Pool)

Youth Woman Athlete of the Year – Kim Camilleri Laganà (Weightlifting)

Coach of the Year – Milan Ćirović (Water Polo)

Official of the Year – Karl Izzo (ASA)

Team of the Year – Pool Men’s National Team Under-18  participating in the World Championships.

People’s Choice Award – Gianluca Chetcuti (Trap Shooting)

International Sports Event of the Year – Final 4 European Water Polo Champions League (ASA)

Sport for Social Change Award – Ħamrun Ħanin

Special Olympics Athlete Man Award – Alec Falzon (Athletics)

Special Olympics Athlete Woman Award – Maria James (Swimming)

Hall of Fame – Joe Cutajar, Colin Cauchi and Mario Saliba