The ninth edition of the Melita Malta Football Awards was launched during a press conference at the Grand Hotel Excelsior on Tuesday. The gala event will be held at the same venue on Wednesday June 2nd.

Now in its ninth edition, this prestigious annual ceremony aims to pay special tribute to the leading sportsmen and women in this most beloved of local sports. This Events Services production will light up the Grand Hotel Excelsior’s stage on Wednesday, 2nd June for the 2010 gala event in celebration of personal achievement in local football.

Sandro Micallef, Chairperson of the Organising Committee of the Malta Football Awards, spoke of how the Melita Malta Football Awards are very much designed to be a celebration.

“We will roll out the red carpet, conjure up a few surprises, and of course, feature the stars of the show – the footballers and coaches themselves. We will share with the viewing public the skill and talent that can be found in this country, and share with the community the giant steps that are being taken in local football. It will be an extraordinary evening that is not just about receiving a trophy. It will be an evening about everyone involved in local football coming together to celebrate their hard work.”

Mr. Micallef also confirmed that the Special Recognition Award will again be included amongst the established list of awards of this event. This prestigious award will honour a local football personality who has distinguished himself over the past years in the local scene.

The event will be co-presented by former national team goalkeeper Saviour Darmanin and sports journalist and event producer Catherine Micallef. Micallef explained that the persons entitled to vote for most awards were those involved in the local game, namely the presidents/officials, coaches, and captains of the ten BOV Premier League clubs and the journalists who covered the BOV Premier League 2009/2010. Voting for the Best Players in the Futsal League, Women’s League, First, Second and Third Division and the GFA Melita First Division was reserved for officials, coaches, captains from the respective clubs, and sports correspondents who follow these leagues.

However, Maltese football fans will have the opportunity to vote for the Best Goal of the Season. The general public will have the opportunity to vote via sms number 50614914 during the actual event. A number of goals will be shortlisted following the voting by journalists, club presidents, coaches and team captains. The final result will be announced after an interactive voting amongst the guests during the event who will determine the best five goals of the season.

The awards for the ninth edition of the Melita Malta Football Awards will be:
1. Best Goalkeeper
2. Best Defender
3. Best Midfielder
4. Best Striker
5. Most Promising Youngster
6. Best Coach
7. Best Foreign Player
8. Best Local Player
9. Best Goal of the Season
10. Best Women’s First Division Player
11. Best Futsal First Division Player
12. Best Melita GFA First Division Player
13. Best BOV First Division Player
14. Best BOV Second Division Player
15. Best BOV Third Division Player
16. Best BOV Premier Veteran Player (aged 35 and over)
17. Special Career Award/s

The Chairman of the Kunsill Malti ghall-iSport Bernard Vassallo said the organisation will be supporting once again these awards as such events raise the profile of sports with the awarding for achievements during the past season. He said such awards help build role-models for youngsters who would be encouraged to take an active part in sports.

Mr. Alan Cutajar, director of Events Services, thanked the organisers, the media, and the sponsors, namely Melita, Powerade, Kia, Lotto, Kunsill Malti g?all-iSport, Eures, Aristocrat, Hamilton Travel, Toni & Guy and Grand Hotel Excelsior all of whom were crucial in making this ninth edition possible.

The Melita Malta Football Awards will be broadcast live on Melita Sports 702 and on the Promotion Channel, which is available to all Melita television subscribers, LIVE at 8pm. A repeat programme will view on Favourite Channel on Sunday 6th June at 9pm. No tickets will be available on sale and attendance is strictly by invitation.

Ms Alison Bezzina and Mr Norbert Grixti, on behalf of Melita and Grand Hotel Excelsior respectively, also addressed the press conference. Both confirmed their support to the organisers of this event. On the other hand, MFA vice-president Ludovico Micallef said that although the association presented its own awards such initiatives should be praised and encouraged.

More details and statistics about previous editions of the Melita Malta Football Awards are available at www.maltafootball.com/awards and www.eventsservices.tv

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