Press Release
Saturday 14 February 2026

The Malta Sports Journalists Association is pleased to announce the finalists in each category of the 66th edition of the Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali. At this stage, members of the Malta Sports Journalists Association were involved in the voting process to select the five finalists in each category.

The finalists in the seven traditional categories are as follows:

Sportsman of the Year
Gianluca Chetcuti (Shooting)
Brian Cini (Snooker)
Jared Micallef (Athletics)
Fabio Spiteri (Triathlon)
Mevrick Zammit (Blackball)

Sportswoman of the Year
Haley Bugeja (Football)
Francesca Curmi (Tennis)
Sasha Gatt (Swimming)
Sophie St John (Artistic Gymnastics)
Tenishia Thornton (Weightlifting)

Young Sportsman of the Year
Nick Bonett (Athletics)
Jake Castaldi (Blackball)
Jacob Micallef (Motorsport)
Nathan Mifsud (Weightlifting)
Timmy Vassallo (Sailing)

Young Sportswoman of the Year
Chloe Amato (Water Polo)
Kim Camilleri Lagana (Weightlifting)
Emily Fenech (Sailing)
Thea Parnis Coleiro (Athletics)
Sophie St John (Artistic Gymnastics)

Coach of the Year
Robert Attard (Blackball)
Natalia Berehova (Gymnastics)
Rachid Chouhal (Athletics)
Giacomo Modica (Football)
Jonathan Valletta (Water Polo)

Official of the Year
Rita Azzopardi (Water Polo)
Ishmael Barbara (Football)
Terry Camilleri (Snooker)
Jesmond Caruana (Weightlifting)
Vincent Degiorgio (Pool)

Team of the Year
GSSE Gymnastics Team (Gymnastics)
Ħamrun Spartans (Football)
Luxol St Andrews (Futsal)
Men’s Under-18 National Team (Water Polo)
Team World Shoot Out (Pool)
Women’s National Team (Football)

This is the only category featuring six finalists instead of five, as the votes collected from journalists resulted in a tie for fifth place.

The winners in each category will be announced during the final awards ceremony to be held on Saturday 28 February 2026, celebrating the achievements of Maltese athletes both individually and as teams throughout 2025, covering the period from 1 January to 31 December.

For further information, the rules and regulations may be viewed at:
https://www.maltasportsjournalists.com/ghazliet-sportivi…/

The list of all winners throughout the years is available at:
https://www.maltasportsjournalists.com/rebbieha-sportivi…/

During a ceremony held on Saturday morning, it was also announced that additional honours will be presented on the final night, including the People’s Choice Award.

People’s Choice Award Finalists

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

The People’s Choice Award will be determined entirely by public vote through SMS on the numbers listed next to each finalist.

The ‘Sport for Social Change Award’ will also be presented once again this year. The Executive Committee of the Malta Sports Journalists Association received the following nominations:

Ħamrun Sporting Football Club
Frame Football
MFA Social Responsibility
Ħamrun Ħanin
Inspire
Fgura United FC Players’ Council

The Executive Committee will also be presenting recognition through the Fair Play Award and the award for the International Event organised in Malta during 2025.

For another year, the Executive Committee of the Malta Sports Journalists Association will induct three more individuals into the MSJA Hall of Fame.

The 66th edition of the Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali is being organised in collaboration with the following commercial partners:
Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Intercontinental Hotel, SWEAT Fitness, TGS Together Gaming Solutions, Bank of Valletta, Enemed, Wasteserv, VisitMalta, Campus Hub, 1Padel, Atlas Insurance, AIMS, Bolt and TVM Sport.