National Lottery plc and the Malta Sports Journalists Association (MSJA), are pleased to announce the winner of the second bi-monthly award exclusively dedicated to elite Maltese athletes.

The IZIBET Elite Athlete Award was launched to recognise exceptional performances by local athletes and, as previously communicated, will be presented every two months covering the periods January–February, March-April, May-June, July–August, September-October, and November–December.

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.

The second award, covering the period July–August 2023, was awarded to Pool’s World Champion Clayton Castaldi. Castaldi won this title after a superb performance in the Pool World Championship which was held in Agadir, Morocco. Castaldi had a brilliant run in the group and knock out stage where he managed to reach the final and played against English professional player Josh Kane with the Maltese player winning with a final score of 11-9 and thus crowned the 2023 World Champion.

As I already remarked at the launch of this award, we are proud of our partnership with the Malta Sports Journalists Association. By recognising the efforts of our local athletes, we aim to encourage them to continue striving for excellence in their respective fields. Clayton Castaldi’s achievement inspires national pride because, being such a small sports community, we have a Pool World Champion", said Franco De Gabriele, Chief Commercial Officer of National Lottery plc.

Sandro Micallef, President of the Malta Sports Journalists Association, commented, "I am extremely satisfied that such a reputable company like National Lottery, with its brand IZIBET, is committed to the Elite Athlete Award alongside the Malta Sports Journalists Association. We’ll continue to support Maltese athletes. Clayton Castaldi’s Pool World title is the result of continuous efforts done by the athlete himself and the association he’s representing".

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

National Lottery plc u l-Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sports, bi pjaċir iħabbru r-rebbieħ tat-tieni unur li qed jingħata lill-atleti Maltin kull xahrejn.

L-għan ewlieni tal-IZIBET Elite Athlete Award huwa li jirrikonoxxi s-suċċessi miksuba mill-atleti lokali għax-xhur ta’ Jannar–Frar, Marzu-April, Mejju-Ġunju, Lulju–Awissu, Settembru-Ottubru, u Novembru–Diċembru.

Il-bord tal-għażla huwa magħmul minn ġurnalisti u osservaturi sportivi li qed jevalwaw bir-reqqa il-kisbiet tal-atleti matul ix-xhur imsemmija u jassiguraw li jkun hemm korretezza matul il-proċess kollu tal-għażla.

It-tieni unur li jkopri x-xhur ta’ Lulju u Awwissu 2023, ingħata liċ-Champion tad-Dinja tal-Pool Clayton Castaldi. Castaldi rebaħ dan it-titlu wara prestazzjoni mill-aqwa li kellu fil-Kampjonati Dinjija li saru f’Agadir fil-Marokk. Castaldi kien brillanti fil-fażi tal-gruppi u dik eliminatorja, sabiex fil-finali għeleb lill-plejer professjonali Ingliż Josh Kane bl-iskor ta’ 11-9 u ġie nkurunat champion.

Franco De Gabriele, Chief Commercial Officer ta’ National Lottery plc qal, "Bħalma għidt fit-tnedija tal-IZIBET Elite Athlete Award, aħna ninsabu kburin li qed nissieħbu mal-Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sports sabiex nagħrfu l-isforzi li jsiru mill-atleti lokali. Clayton Castaldi jagħmilna kburin li aħna Maltin, għax minkejja ċ-ċokon tagħna, għandna rebbieħ f’kompetizzjoni dinjija ".

Sandro Micallef, President tal-Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sports ikkumenta, "Ninsab ferm sodisfatt li kumpanija rispettabli bħal National Lottery bil-prodott tagħha IZIBET, qed tagħti l-Elite Athlete Award flimkien mal-Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sports. Is-suċċess ta’ Clayton Castaldi huwa frott ta’ sagrifiċji li huwa flimkien mal-Assoċjazzjoni Maltija tal-Pool jagħmlu sabiex niksbu riżultati tajbin internazzjonalment".

Ir-regolamenti tal-IZIBET Elite Athlete Award jistgħu jinkisbu minn fuq il-website tal-Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sports https://www.maltasportsjournalists.com/

Video clip of a short interview with Clayton Castaldi is available through this link: https://we.tl/t-5fy4gLv0aJ