The battle for the People’s Choice Award is intensifying with votes pouring in from across Malta and Gozo as the public rallies behind their favourite sporting personalities ahead of the 66th edition of the Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali. With just one week remaining before Malta’s most prestigious sporting celebration, excitement is reaching its peak as supporters continue to make their voices heard in one of the most closely followed awards of the evening.
Organised by the Malta Sports Journalists Association, the awards night will take place on Saturday, 28 February 2026, at the InterContinental Hotel in St Julian’s and will be broadcast live on TVMSport+ as well as streamed across the Association’s official social media platforms.
The Executive Committee of the Malta Sports Journalists Association confirms that public voting for the People’s Choice Award remains officially open, with the general public having until Saturday, 28 February 202,6 at noon to cast their votes and determine the winner of this prestigious honour. Once again, the award will be decided entirely through SMS voting using the dedicated numbers assigned to each finalist. There is no limit to the number of votes per person, and each SMS costs €0.58 including VAT. The People’s Choice Award continues to provide sports fans across Malta and Gozo with the opportunity to play a direct role in recognising excellence in sport, and this year’s response has already generated strong momentum as the countdown to the awards night continues.
People’s Choice Award Finalists 2026
(Period: 1 January – 31 December 2025)
Neil Agius (Open Water Swimming) – 5061 5031
Justin John Camilleri (Para Rowing) – 5061 5032
Julia Galea (Artistic Gymnastics) – 5061 5033
Matthew Galea Soler (Athletics) – 5061 5034
Jake Gomez Blanco (Kickboxing) – 5061 5035
Rodney Gatt (Horse Racing) – 5061 5036
Jacob Micallef (Motorsport) – 5061 5037
Michelle Mifsud (Triathlon) – 5061 5038
Tenishia Thornton (Weightlifting) – 5061 5039
Team Gozo Dream (Sailing) – 5061 5040
Beyond the People’s Choice Award, the evening will celebrate achievements across Maltese sport, including the Young Athlete of the Year awards for male and female, the Sportsman of the Year, the Sportswoman of the Year, the Team of the Year, the Coach of the Year, and the Official of the Year. For yet another consecutive year, following the closure of nominations in the principal categories, the achievements of all candidates were analysed and voted for by the members of the Malta Sports Journalists Association, who trimmed the list down to 5 finalists.
This week, an independent expert jury panel composed of individuals who closely follow the local sporting landscape will close the selection process by casting the most crucial vote in each category.
The Association will once again proudly recognise the achievements of athletes from Special Olympics Malta by presenting the Best Male Athlete and Best Female Athlete awards for SO. These honours were first introduced in 2011 and have since become a respected and valued part of the national sporting calendar, reflecting a continued commitment to inclusion within Maltese sport.
Among the other distinctions to be presented are the Best International event held in Malta, the Sport for Social Change Award, which recognises an organisation or entity that is making sport more inclusive in the Maltese sporting landscape, and the newly introduced Fair Play Award, which highlights integrity and sportsmanship. The Malta Sports Journalists Association will also induct three distinguished personalities into its Hall of Fame in recognition of their lasting contribution to local sports media and Maltese sport in general.
More information can be found on the Associations’ website www.maltasportsjournalists.com and on social media using the handle @Malta SJA.
