2025 Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali finalists announced

The Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sport announced the list of finalists 65th edition of Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali were announced on Monday.

The finalists’ announcement was made at the Malta Football Association’s Centenary Hall, in which all semi-finalists were also presented a commemorative certificate.

The 65th edition of the Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali will be held on March 1 during which the winners in 12 categories will be announced while Għaqda Gurnalisti Sport members will be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

For this year’s contest, there will be 24 different sports represented as organisers said that this year there were a good number of nominations from many associations and federations.

Whilst the the main categories will be decided by the professional jury vote and others will be at the discretion of the MSJA executive committee, the People’s Choice Award will be decided by the public vote by sending a blank sms on the assigned numbers.

The Malta Sports Journalists thanks the following partners for their ongoing support towards the organization of this year’s event and for the general support towards Sport in Malta; Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, National Lottery, Atlas Insurance, Bank of Valletta, Enemed, Responsible Gaming Foundation, VisitMalta, Teamsport, SWEAT and bolt.

THE FINALISTS

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

Neil Agius (open water swimming); Norbert Attard (darts); Brian Cini (snooker); Lydan Debono (blackball); Nico Sciberras (shooting).

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR

Michelle Bonnici Mallia (Jiu Jitsu); Francesca Curmi (tennis); Katryna Esposito (judo); Sasha Gatt (swimming); Tenishia Thornton (weightlifting).

YOUTH MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Jake Castaldi (pool); Jayden Cutajar (waterpolo); Kayden Laganà (bowling); Nathan Mifsud (weightlifting); Julian Scerri (squash).

YOUTH WOMAN ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 

Thyis Antonelli (karate); Kim Camilleri Laganà (weightlifting); Katrina Micallef (sailing); Michela Scerri (taekwondo); Sophie St. John (gymnastics).

COACH OF THE YEAR

Jesmond Caruana (weightlifting); Noel Cassar (pool); Milan Ćirović (waterpolo); Noel Mercieca (kickboxing); Clevion Micallef (blackball).

OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR

Terry Camilleri (snooker); Vincent Degiorgio (pool); Philip Gatt (blackball); Karl Izzo (water sport); Bjorn Vassallo (football).

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Chris Mills, Jesmond Schembri (blackball); Jake Castaldi, Dielyn Edwards (blackball); Pool U-18 national team; waterpolo national team; weightlifting mixed national team.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

Neil Agius (open water swimming) 5061 5031; Sam Cassar (badminton) 5061 5032; Jake Castaldi (pool) – 5061 5033; Gianluca Chetcuti (trap shooting) – 5061 5034; Brian Cini (snooker) – 5061 5035; Bryan Corlett (Rugby) – 5061 5036; Rodney Gatt (horse racing) – 5061 5037; Kayden Laganà (bowling) – 5061 5038; Fabio Spiteri (triathlon) – 5061 5039; Tenishia Thornton (weightlifting) – 5061 5040.

FINALISTS FOR SPORT FOR SOCIAL CHANGE AWARD

Fgura United FC; Fondazzjoni Caritas; Ħamrun Ħanin; Malta Triathlon Federation; Move – Pump It programme of street sports