New faces to get on stage with the popular ones during the 64th edition of the Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali

By Arnold Farrugia

The year 2023 was an unforgettable one for the long list of achievements by our Maltese athletes in various sports events. The upcoming award-winning event organised by the Malta Sports Journalists Association, the Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali, is sure to be an interesting one, and the expectations are high. Let’s have a look at those who might make it to grab these coveted awards.

The Sportsman of the Year category is one of the toughest! We might see on stage either Pool World Champion Clayton Castaldi or Jordan Gusman, who was the 2^nd European in the Chicago Marathon, smashing the national record by 12 minutes and gold medalist in the European Athletics Team Championship 5000m and in GSSE 2 in 5000m and 10,000m. European Blackball Champion Steven Muscat, international football player Teddy Teuma, and shooter Marlon Attard might also be finalists in this category.

Tenishia Thornton, who is a familiar face in the Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali, looks to be the favourite as the Sportswoman of the Year after winning gold and silver medals in the Commonwealth Championship, two gold medals in the European Small Nations, and a gold medal in the London Open. Squash player Colette Sultana, gymnast Philippa Busuttil, tennis player Francesca Curmi, and international football player Haley Bugeja might also be finalists.

European Under-15 Champion and Under-18 Team European Champion Jake Castaldi could be the Youth Man Athlete of the Year. Weightlifter Rylee Borg can also be the winner of this category with two silver medals in the Commonwealth Championships, two gold medals in the European Small Nations, a bronze medal in the EYOF, and a gold medal in the London Open. Triathlete Kai Azzopardi, weightlifter Kayden Lagana, and pool player Steven Muscat, who is the World and European U18 Team Champion, are likely to be finalists.

The Youth Woman Athlete of the Year is also a tough one, and there are various candidates for this title. Weightlifter Kim Camilleri Laganà looks to be the favourite, with 3 bronze medals in the European Championship, a gold medal and overall champion in the European Union Championship, 2 silvers and 1 bronze in the Commonwealth Championship, a gold medal in the Mediterranean Championship, a silver medal in the EYOF, and a silver medal in the London Open. Karate’s Thyis Antonelli, gymnast Philippa Busuttil, squash player Lijana Sultana, and track and field athlete Thea Parnis Coleiro might be finalists.

Behind every athlete, there’s the coach who prepares them for the competitions and is part of their success. Manuela Tesse, coach of the Women’s National Football Team, who achieved a historic result in winning the UEFA Women’s National League Group C and gaining promotion to Group B, looks to be the favourite for the Coach of the Year. The title is also contested between other coaches who had athletes win medals in the GSSE, like Zeljko Aras (athletes) and Gordon Asciak (tennis). Weightlifting coaches Rodmar Pulis and Vince Saliba (Pool) might also be finalists.

Jesmond Caruana, President of the local weightlifting association, Vice President for the Mediterranean Countries, and General Secretary of the Small States of Europe, looks to be the favourite for the Official of the Year. Aldrin Cassar, President of Athletics Malta, and Vice President of the Athletics Association for the Small States of Europe might also be finalist. Philip Gatt, who is the President of the Malta Blackball Association and Vice President of the European Blackball Association and organised the European Blackball Championships in Malta, is also considered a strong candidate for the title. Joseph Grima, President of the Paralympic Committee, Anna Vassallo, President of the Malta Taekwondo Association, and Vice President of the European Taekwondo Union are also likely to be finalists.

There’s a very good chance that Malta’s Women National Football Team makes it as the Team of the Year, as they made history when they won Group C of the UEFA Women’s Nations’ League, gaining promotion to Group B with 5 wins and 1 draw. Malta’s Blackball U18 National Team, who were crowned European Champions, are also prospective candidates for this title. Malta’s U18 Pool National Team, who are also World and European Champions, can also end up being the Team of the Year. The Rugby League’s Malta Knights, who were undefeated in Europe, including home victories of 78-0 against Bulgaria and 34-10 against Montenegro, and ranked 6^th in Europe, can be the favourites. Finally, weightlifting’s Mediterranean Championships mixed team can also be the winning team.