Finalists announced for the 66th Edition of the National Sports Awards

The Malta Sports Journalists Association has announced the finalists for the 66th edition of the National Sports Awards.

At this stage, members of the association were involved in the voting process to select the five finalists in each category.

Finalists in the Seven Traditional Categories

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 Degorgio (Pool)

Team of the Year

Gymnastics Team – Games of the Small States of Europe (Gymnastics)
Ħamrun Spartans (Football)
Luxol St Andrews (Futsal)
Under-18 National Team (Water Polo)
Team World Shoot Out (Pool)
Malta Women’s National Team (Football)

This is the only category featuring six finalists instead of five, as two teams finished in joint fifth place following the journalists’ vote.

The winners in each category will be announced during the awards ceremony to be held on Saturday, 28 February 2026. The evening will celebrate the achievements of Maltese athletes, both individually and as part of a team, for accomplishments registered during the 2025 calendar year (1 January to 31 December).

People’s Choice Award

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

The ten finalists for the People’s Choice Award are:

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 (Kick Boxing) – 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 winner will be determined entirely by public vote via SMS to the numbers listed next to each finalist.

Additional Honours

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