The Minister for Gozo and Planning, Clint Camilleri, spoke about the successes and strong potential of the Gozitan sports sector, while praising the continuous work being done to further strengthen sport in Gozo. This was during the Gozo Sports Awards 2026, an occasion during which the talent, dedication and achievements of Gozitan athletes, coaches and volunteers were celebrated.
Minister Clint Camilleri said that “It is a great satisfaction for us to see sport in Gozo growing in this way. This is a direct result of the commitment and dedication of our athletes, but also of the investment we are making as a Government to create better infrastructure and opportunities.” He mentioned here that Gozo has been chosen to host the spring meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Island Games Association in 2027, a development that confirms international confidence in the island’s capabilities.
The Minister stressed that this success is the result of substantial investment in sports infrastructure, including the Sports and Aquatics Pavilion in Victoria, Gozo, which includes an Olympic-sized swimming pool and international-level facilities. He also recalled that in October next year, Gozo will host netball and triathlon competitions in the context of the Commonwealth Youth Games. In addition, the Artistic Swimming National Championships were recently organised for the first time in the pavilion’s Olympic-sized swimming pool, which welcomed 220 athletes and officials from 17 countries.
Minister Camilleri also pointed out Gozo’s successful participation in the International Island Games, after becoming a member in 2022 and taking part in the Guernsey 2023 and Orkney 2025 editions, while athletes are preparing for the 2027 edition in the Faroe Islands.
“We will continue to invest in sport and our athletes, so that we not only maintain this level but also continue to improve it. The athletics track project in Gozo will be another concrete step in this direction because, this project will continue to strengthen the sports infrastructure and offer new opportunities for Gozitan athletes,” added the Minister.
During the evening, various awards were presented to sportspeople and individuals involved in sports who stood out during the past year. The winners of the Gozo Sports Awards 2026 were:
- Officer of the Year – Noel Grech (Gozo Sailing Club)
- Team of the Year – Victoria Hotspurs Football Club
- Coach of the Year – Timea Laskai (Colibri Academy)
- Recognition for Athlete over 45 years of age – Raymond Spitieri
- Sports Career Recognition – Sean Michael Daly
- Special Recognition (Special Olympics) – Guiseppina Galea
- Promising Youngster – Zia Fuji (Shamrock Stars Sports Club)
- Promising Youngster – Ryan Muscat (Malta Triathlon Federation)
- Sportsperson of the Year – Charlton Debono (D Sports Lab)
- Sportswoman of the Year – Georgiana Mifsud (Gozo Football Association)
At the conclusion of his speech, Minister for Gozo and Planning Clint Camilleri thanked the athletes, coaches, families and sports associations for their commitment, while congratulating all those who were awarded and wishing that sport in Gozo continues to grow and flourish.
Photos: MGP
