Malta Esports Association Announces the Inaugural Malta Esports Awards

Dec 17 2024

The Malta Esports Association is thrilled to announce the first-ever Malta Esports Awards, a landmark event celebrating excellence in the local esports community. This initiative highlights the skill, dedication, and achievements of Maltese players, teams, and contributors to the esports ecosystem.

Why the Awards Matter

For years, Malta’s esports talents have lacked a platform to showcase their accomplishments and inspire the next generation. The Malta Esports Awards aim to change this by providing a night dedicated to honoring the competitive achievements of local players and the unsung heroes behind the scenes.

Timeline

– Nomination Phase: Until 31 December 2024

– Announcement of Nominees: December 2024

– Awards Night: 7 February 2025

Award Categories

This year’s awards feature 11 categories:

Esports Player of the Year: Recognising the most impactful Maltese esports player internationally in 2024.
Esports Team of the Year: Celebrating teams with at least 50% Maltese members excelling in international competitions.
Rookie Player of the Year: Highlighting standout players under 21 years old.
Female Player of the Year: Celebrating the best female competitor in the scene.
Shooter Player of the Year: Honoring achievements in shooting game genres.
Sim-Racing Driver of the Year: Awarding the best Maltese virtual racing driver.
Sports Simulation Player of the Year: Recognising players excelling in games mimicking traditional sports.
MOBA Player of the Year: Highlighting top performers in Multiplayer Online Battle Arena games.
Fighting Game Player of the Year: Celebrating the best in Tekken, Street Fighter, and similar titles.
RPG Player of the Year: Honoring achievements in role-playing games.
Outstanding Contribution to Maltese Esports: Acknowledging individuals who have significantly contributed to the community’s growth.

Nomination and Adjudication

– Eligibility: Maltese citizens and permanent residents (5+ years) currently residing in Malta are eligible.

– Selection Criteria: Winners will be judged based on local competition results, international participation, and contributions to the community, including mentorship, content creation, and ambassadorship.

The Malta Esports Awards 2024 promise to shine a spotlight on Malta’s gaming talent and inspire greater participation and recognition for the local esports scene. For more details and to submit nominations, visit https://esportsawards.mt/.

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Christmas Events You Don’t Want To Miss In Gozo

Dec 17 2024

Here’s a roundup of Gozo’s must-see festive events that promise to make your holiday season unforgettable:

Bethlehem f’Għajnsielem
This iconic live nativity village at Ta’ Passi fields features costumed actors, live animals, and craftspeople creating a magical atmosphere. Explore the charming settings while enjoying festive treats like mulled wine and roasted chestnuts.

Villa Rundle Gardens Illuminated Trail
Wander through Victoria’s beautifully lit Villa Rundle Gardens, where dazzling displays and creative light installations transform the area into a festive wonderland. Perfect for families and photo enthusiasts alike!

Għajnsielem Christmas Tree
Don’t miss the gigantic illuminated Christmas tree in Għajnsielem, made up of 4,500 glass bottles. Standing tall and sparkling bright, it’s a centrepiece for festive celebrations in the village and a must-see for photos.

Red Riding Hood – The Rock N’ Roll Panto
Add a touch of laughter to your holidays with this quirky, music-filled panto at the Aurora Opera House. It’s a lively, family-friendly take on the classic fairy tale, packed with rock ‘n’ roll hits and plenty of festive cheer.

Christmas Parade
Experience Gozo’s festive energy during the Christmas Parade, where colourful floats, music, and performances fill the streets. A joyous occasion for all ages, this parade captures the island’s unique holiday vibe.

Il-Qala Tissaħħar Bil-Presepji

An exhibition showcasing exquisite traditional cribs, organized by The Għaqda Armar San Ġużepp-Qala in collaboration with the Qala Parish. These meticulously crafted cribs are the result of exceptional dedication and creativity from talented locals, including enthusiastic children.

Dinja Tat-Tfal

The enchanting Children’s World Venue at Villa Rundle Gardens is set to bring the magic of childhood alive. The venue promises to be a delightful sanctuary that brings children’s dreams to the forefront, providing a unique and captivating space for all things related to kids!

Plan your visit to Gozo and immerse yourself in these enchanting festivities! For more details, check out www.eventsingozo.com

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TM Suspends Future Permits For Skip Contractor After Motorist Dies

Dec 17 2024

Transport Malta has suspended future permits for the contractor responsible for leaving a skip on the St Paul’s Bay bypass, which was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident last week, Times of Malta reported.

In a statement, Transport Malta confirmed that the contractor had “illegally” resumed work without a valid permit or notifying the agency, despite the works being halted for months. It stated that the contractor bears full responsibility for proceeding without proper authorisation and added that future permits have been suspended until safety standards are assured.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when Dieter Vink, 54, crashed into the stationary skip positioned on the bypass’s final curve leading to the Xemxija roundabout. Vink was critically injured and succumbed to his injuries at Mater Dei Hospital on Friday night.

Two Wheels Foundation Malta issued a post on social media, paying tribute to Vink, calling out the irresponsibility:

‘A chimpanzee would have known that dumping a skip in the middle of an arterial road around a blind corner would create a major risk to motorists. But unfortunately we have dumber primates than that maintaining our infrastructure. Let’s see how long it’ll take for this one to be forgotten and swept under the carpet, like all the other pointless deaths that result from someones negligence.’

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DPM Ian Borg Reiterates Malta’s Commitment To Global Peace

Dec 17 2024

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Ian Borg, reiterated Malta’s commitment to global peace, human rights, and regional stability at the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) held in Brussels.

The meeting, chaired by the new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, focused on key geopolitical challenges and Europe’s role in international diplomacy.

Ian Borg emphasised the importance of unity and efficiency in Europe’s operations, noting that collective strength is essential for maintaining credibility on the global stage. He also highlighted the value of building partnerships based on mutual respect and the importance of upholding the international rules-based order.

Malta reaffirmed its support for Ukraine, condemning ongoing violence and pushing forth the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Borg called for a comprehensive peace process aligned with the UN Charter and stressed the need to address humanitarian concerns, particularly during Ukraine’s winter months. On sanctions, Malta advocated for a balanced approach that protects essential industries while maintaining pressure on aggressors.

Regarding developments in Georgia, Malta voiced concern over violence against peaceful protesters and called for de-escalation, greater support for civil society, and engagement with democratic actors. Borg also emphasised the need to keep communication channels open.

In discussions on the Middle East, Borg called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, protection of civilians, and the release of hostages, reaffirming Malta’s support for a Two-State Solution.

On Syria, he urged stakeholders to commit to an inclusive, Syrian-led peace process in line with relevant UN resolutions.

Malta further demonstrated its commitment to peace by endorsing Cyprus’s bid for the OSCE Chair in 2027.

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