The Malta Sports Association has confirmed the five finalists in each category for the 66th edition of the Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali. Members of the association participated in a voting process to determine the finalists across all categories.
The finalists span seven traditional award categories that recognise achievements in Maltese sport during the 2025 calendar year.
In the Sportsman of the Year category, the finalists are Gianluca Chetcuti in Shooting, Brian Cini in Snooker, Jared Micallef in Athletics, Fabio Spiteri in Triathlon and Mevrick Zammit in Blackball.
The Sportswoman of the Year nominees are Haley Bugeja in Football, Francesca Curmi in Tennis, Sasha Gatt in Swimming, Sophie St John in Artistic Gymnastics and Tenishia Thornton in Weightlifting.
For Young Male Athlete of the Year, the finalists are Nick Bonett in Athletics, Jake Castaldi in Blackball, Jacob Micallef in Motorsport, Nathan Mifsud in Weightlifting and Timmy Vassallo in Bowling.
The Young Female Athlete of the Year category includes Chloe Amato in Water Polo, Kim Camilleri Lagana in Weightlifting, Emily Fenech in Bowling, Thea Parnis Coleiro in Athletics and Sophie St John in Artistic Gymnastics.
In the Coach of the Year category, the finalists are Robert Attard in Blackball, Natalie Berehova in Gymnastics, Rachid Chouhal in Athletics, Giacomo Modica in Football and Jonathan Valletta in Water Polo.
The Officials of the Year nominees are Rita Azzopardi in Water Polo, Ishmael Barbara in Football, Terry Camilleri in Snooker, Jesmond Caruana in Weightlifting and Vincent Degorgio in Pool.
For Team of the Year, the finalists are the Small Nations Games Gymnastics Team, Ħamrun Spartans in Football, the Under 18 Water Polo Team, Team World Shoot Out in Pool, the National Women’s Football Team and Team St Andrews in Futsal.
The winners in each category will be announced during the final awards ceremony scheduled for Saturday, 28 February 2026. The event will recognise achievements recorded between 1 January and 31 December 2025, celebrating both individual and team performances.
In addition to the traditional categories, the People’s Choice Award will also be presented. The ten finalists for this award are Neil Agius in Open Water Swimming, Justin John Camilleri in Para Rowing, Julia Galea in Artistic Gymnastics, Matthew Galea Soler in Athletics, Jake Gomez Blanco in Kickboxing, Rodney Gatt in Horse Racing, Jacob Micallef in Motorsport, Michelle Mifsud in Triathlon, Tenishia Thornton in Weightlifting and Team Gozo Dream in Bowling. The winner of this category will be determined entirely by public vote through SMS.
The Sport for Social Change Award will also be presented. The nominated organisations are Ħamrun Sporting Football Club, Frame Football, MFA Social Responsibility, Ħamrun Ħanin, Inspire and Fgura United FC Players’ Council.
During the ceremony, the executive committee will also present the Fair Play Award and recognise the International Event organised in Malta during 2025. Three additional individuals will be inducted into the Malta Sports Association Hall of Fame.
