20th Edition of MOC Gala Sports Awards Marks a Milestone Year for Maltese Athletes

Dec 3 2023

The Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) hosted the 20th edition of its annual Gala Sports Awards, a dazzling evening dedicated to honouring the outstanding achievements of Malta’s sporting elite. This year’s ceremony was particularly special, celebrating a triumphant year for Maltese sports, highlighted by the success achieved in the Games of the Small States of Europe hosted locally in June.

The Gala Sports Awards recognised the exceptional accomplishments of Maltese athletes on the international stage, with a special emphasis on the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE). Malta’s remarkable success in the GSSE, resulting in the highest-ever medal tally, added a unique significance to this year’s event. The achievements not only showcased the talent and dedication of Malta’s athletes but also underscored the nation’s growing prominence in the global sporting arena.

The Maltese Olympic Committee underwent a meticulous evaluation of all nominations using a newly introduced awards criteria structure. This ensured that each athlete’s recognition aligned with the nature of their accomplishments on the international stage. In total, 56 athletes and teams were acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to Maltese sports.

Top Honours – Gold Award:

The highest honour of the evening, the Gold Award, was rightfully bestowed upon Clayton Castaldi, who etched his name in the annals of Maltese sports history by becoming the world champion in pool. Castaldi’s triumph in the singles tournament final in Agadir, Morocco, made him the first Maltese player to secure a world title in the singles competition.

Games of the Small States of Europe Medal Winners:

The Gala also witnessed the distribution of financial bonuses to the medal winners from the Games held in Malta earlier in the year. This decision, taken in collaboration with National Federations and the athletes themselves, added an extra layer of recognition for the remarkable achievements in the GSSE.

Hall of Fame Inductees:

In addition to celebrating current athletes, the MOC took a moment to honour two distinguished figures in Maltese sports by inducting them into the Hall of Fame. Robert Ebejer, a former president of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, and the late cyclist Jack Schiavone were recognised for their significant contributions to the sporting community, embodying the Olympic ideals in their work.

Over Half a Million Euros Distributed to Small Countries Games Medal Winners

In a historic moment for Maltese sports, the athletes who brought glory to Malta in the Small Countries Games earlier this year were honored and generously rewarded during the 20th edition of the MOC Gala Sport Awards. The event took place yesterday, recognizing the exceptional achievements of athletes who excelled in major international competitions.

As promised before the commencement of the Small Countries Games last May, gold medal winners were bestowed with a significant monetary reward of €10,000 each. Additionally, athletes who participated as part of a team shared this sum among themselves. Bronze and silver medalists were not overlooked, receiving monetary gifts as well. In total, an impressive sum of €575,300 was distributed among the 97 winners across these three categories of medals.

For the first time since 1985, Malta not only clinched the top spot on the medals table at the Small Countries Games but also achieved an absolute record in the number of medals won. The Maltese athletes brought home a total of 97 medals, comprising an astounding 38 gold, 30 silver, and 29 bronze medals. This exceptional performance not only solidified Malta’s standing among the nine participating countries but also set a new benchmark for total medals won.

The athletes who made this historic achievement possible were recognized and celebrated during the 20th edition of the MOC Gala Sport Awards. The evening, held under the patronage of Minister Clifton Grima, Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research, and Innovation, brought together the sports community to commemorate the excellence achieved by Maltese athletes.

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One Year Since The Tragic Death Of Jean Paul Sofia

Dec 3 2023

It has been a year since the devastating loss of Jean Paul Sofia, whose life was tragically cut short in a construction site accident. In the wake of this heart-wrenching incident, his mother has emerged as a beacon of strength, tirelessly advocating for justice and accountability. Today, as we reflect on the one-year anniversary of Jean Paul’s passing, we also acknowledge the tenacity of his mother in her quest for truth.

Jean Paul Sofia’s life was full of promise, but on that fateful day one year ago, tragedy struck at a construction site where he was working. The circumstances surrounding his death were shrouded in sorrow and left his loved ones grappling with grief. As news of the incident spread, the community mourned the loss of a young life with immense potential.

In the face of unimaginable grief, Jean Paul’s mother emerged as a force determined to seek justice for her son. Fueled by a mother’s love and a commitment to holding those responsible accountable, she embarked on a journey that would demand strength, resilience, and unwavering determination.

Recognising the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to her son’s death, Jean Paul’s mother took bold steps to put pressure on the government for a public inquiry.

She refused to accept silence or complacency in the face of tragedy. Through public awareness campaigns, engagement with the media, and garnering support from the community, she tirelessly worked to ensure that her son’s case would not be forgotten.

In response to the relentless efforts of Jean Paul’s mother and the mounting public pressure, the government has initiated a public inquiry into the construction site accident. This development marks a significant step towards accountability and transparency, acknowledging the need to examine the events leading up to that tragic day.

As the public inquiry gets underway, the legacy of Jean Paul Sofia lives on. His untimely death has become a catalyst for change, prompting a reevaluation of safety standards within the construction industry. The momentum generated by his mother’s advocacy has highlighted the importance of ensuring the well-being of workers and holding entities accountable for negligence.

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Unleashing Festive Joy with the Pets Christmas Fiesta

Dec 3 2023

In the spirit of giving and spreading holiday cheer, Paws, Tails, and Whiskers have come together with Animal Welfare and other NGOs to organize a Christmas fiesta that promises a day of festivities for pet lovers and furry friends alike. Speaking exclusively to Malta Daily, Natasha, a representative from Paws, Tails, and Whiskers, shared insights into the event that is set to captivate animal enthusiasts in the heart of the festive season.

The Christmas fiesta, a collaborative effort between Paws, Tails, and Whiskers and Animal Welfare, is set to take place at the BMX Warehouse, transforming the venue into a vibrant hub of activities and delights for pet lovers. Natasha expressed her excitement about the event, emphasising the variety of stands that attendees can explore.

The Christmas fiesta is designed to be a one-stop destination for all things related to pets and Christmas. Attendees can look forward to exploring an array of stands offering everything from delectable food options and educational resources to stylish pet clothing that adds a touch of festive flair to their furry companions.

Highlighting the inclusive nature of the event, Natasha revealed that there will be an agile training section dedicated to the canine attendees. Dogs and their owners can participate in agile training sessions, adding an interactive and engaging element to the festivities. This section not only provides entertainment for both pets and owners but also emphasizes the importance of promoting an active and healthy lifestyle for our four-legged friends.

The collaboration with Animal Welfare further underscores the commitment of both Paws, Tails, and Whiskers and Animal Welfare to the well-being and happiness of animals. By coming together for this festive event, they aim to create a sense of community among pet lovers while also raising awareness about responsible pet ownership and care.

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Game Development Company ‘Keywords’ Opens Malta Studios

Dec 2 2023

One of the world’s leading video gaming companies, Keywords Studios, has opened two new studios in Malta, spread over 1,000 square metres of office space.

Inaugurating the studios, Minister for the Economy, European Funds and Lands Silvio Schembri said that it was indeed a great honour to see that world renowned Keywords chose Malta to open two new locations for its Sperasoft and Electric Square studios.

The Sperasoft and Electric Square teams have worked on top games the likes of Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, and Halo.

“Just over a year ago, we excitedly announced that a world-renowned international video game industry service provider would be setting up operations right here in Malta. Today, we officially inaugurated Keywords Studios, a publicly listed firm on the London Stock Exchange that boasts a global presence with 12,000 employees across seventy studios worldwide,” stated Minister Schembri.

“The presence of Keywords Studios in Malta marks a paradigm shift for our local industry. We now have more highly skilled talent working on triple-A titles and innovative teams embracing cutting-edge technology,” continued the minister.

Having just set up a base in Malta, Keywords will already have a team of 40 people lined up to operate from its Malta base by end of year.

Keywords Studios has a notable presence in the Playcon expo currently being held at Ta’ Qali.

Minister Schembri highlighted that Malta continues to attract various video game development companies, including homegrown talents like Anvil Games, Dorado Games, Narc, Exient and now Keywords. “Our target is for this sector to account for 1% of our country’s GDP by 2028,” emphasised Minister Schembri.

He also recalled his trips to Gamescon in Germany whereby he met a number of company representatives operating in the video gaming and esports arena who were interested in setting up shop in Malta. “This goes to show how important it is to network during fairs and conventions of this calibre as we witness more and more companies of this kind opening their doors here in Malta,” concluded Minister Schembri.

Fulvio Sioli, Regional Managing Director of Keyword studios in Europe, said that: “At Keywords Studios, we are delighted to open our first locations in Malta for two of our leading game development studios, Sperasoft and Electric Square. This further expands our global footprint and will help drive our growth in the gaming industry. We have received great support by the institutions in Malta to manage the process and the care and the attention we have been given has exceeded our expectations.”

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“We are looking forward to strengthening our cooperation with the local gaming community and collaborating with the Maltese Government to explore educational initiatives. Our goal is to contribute to making Malta a hub of a world-class talents in the gaming industry. We hope for a promising future, fuelled by the immense potential of this partnership,” concluded Mr Sioli.

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