As promised before the Small Countries Games started last May, the gold medal winners in these games were awarded the sum of €10,000 each, with the athletes and sportsmen who participated as a team, share this sum between them. Monetary gifts were also given to those who won bronze and silver medals. In total, the sum of €575,300 was distributed to 97 winners in these three categories of medals.
In these Games for the first time since 1985, since the Games of the Small Countries of Europe have been organized, Malta not only finished at the top of the medals table, but also the athletes collected an absolute record of medals. With 38 gold medals, 30 silver medals and 29 bronze medals, our country won a total of 97 medals. In the Small Countries Games Malta ended the Games with an unprecedented record in winning medals, among the nine participating countries, not only in the number of gold medals, but also in -total medals won.
The winners were given this recognition during the 20th edition of the MOC Gala Sport Awards held yesterday. This evening is organized with the aim of recognizing and celebrating the exceptional achievements of Maltese athletes who have distinguished themselves in major international competitions organized under the auspices of the International Sports Federation of their sport discipline, or Recognized International Sports Organization. The National Federations and Associations were invited to submit nominations for the achievements of athletes and sportsmen between mid-October of last year and mid-October of this year.
The evening was held under the patronage of the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima, who in a speech he made recalled the success achieved by our country, through all those who contributed, especially the athletes and sportsmen. “This performance of yours was and will continue to be an inspiration for tomorrow’s athletes, for all the Maltese and Gozitan children who followed you eagerly. As the Minister responsible for the sports sector, I thank you again for your participation and the results achieved, but above all, I assure you of my support in this sector which we are seeing develop continuously. The Small Countries Games is a result that shows that when there is work done together, this work gives its results”, said Minister Grima. He also congratulated all the athletes and sportsmen who were awarded in the evening.
Julian Pace Bonello, President of the Maltese Olympic Committee said, “The Maltese Olympic Committee is fulfilling its commitment to support and reward the athletes who have made our country proud through their excellent achievements during these Games and therefore it is it is appropriate that this recognition is done during an evening that unites the sports community to celebrate excellence.”
