Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544566
8 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 24 APRIL 2026 NEWS Gozo Sports Awards celebrate athletes, teams and volunteers for 2026 ATHLETES, coaches and sports contributors from Gozo were recognised for their achievements during the Gozo Sports Awards 2026, which honoured standout perfor- mances and dedication across multiple disciplines over the past year. Among the top honours, Charlton Debono was named Sportsperson of the Year, while Georgiana Mifsud took the ti- tle of Sportswoman of the Year. Victoria Hotspurs Football Club secured Team of the Year. Other key awards included Coach of the Year for Timea Laskai and Official of the Year for Noel Grech. The ceremony also recognised emerging tal- ent and lifetime contributions across the local sporting com- munity. Addressing the event, Clint Camilleri said the growth of sport in Gozo reflects both the dedication of athletes and continued investment in in- frastructure and opportuni- ties. He highlighted recent and upcoming developments, in- cluding international competi- tions hosted on the island and Gozo's increasing participation in events such as the Interna- tional Island Games. Winners • Official of the Year – Noel Grech • Team of the Year – Vic- toria Hotspurs Football Club • Coach of the Year – Timea Laskai • Recognition (45+) – Ray- mond Spitieri • Career Recognition – Se- an Michael Daly • Special Recognition (Spe- cial Olympics) – Guisep- pina Galea • Promising Young Female Athlete – Zia Fuji • Promising Young Male Athlete – Ryan Muscat • Sportsperson of the Year – Charlton Debono • Sportswoman of the Year – Georgiana Mifsud The annual awards high- light the breadth of sporting achievement in Gozo, recog- nising both elite performance and grassroots contribution across a wide range of disci- plines. Athletes, coaches and sports contributors from Gozo were recognised for their achievements during the Gozo Sports Awards 2026, which honoured standout performances and dedication across multiple disciplines over the past year (Photo: D0i) StraitAhead and Kurt Calleja to headline Ta' Sannat Wine Festival THE EST! EST!! EST!!! – Ta' Sannat Wine Festival will re- turn for its sixth edition on 2 May 2026, featuring live per- formances by Gozitan band StraitAhead and Maltese sing- er Kurt Calleja, alongside wine tasting and cultural entertain- ment in St. Margaret Square. The event was announced by the Sannat Local Council, which said the festival will once again bring together music, gastronomy and com- munity activity in one of the village's main cultural events. The festival is scheduled to start at 7.30pm and will be open to the public free of charge. StraitAhead, a six-member Gozitan band, will headline the evening with a live set blending vocals and instru- mentals, while Kurt Calleja will appear as a special guest performer. The group is composed of Teddie, Ganni, Tony, Ramon, Mario and Ed- mund, who combine acous- tic and electric influences in their performances. Organisers said the festival will also feature wines from Montefiascone in Italy, con- tinuing its established focus on Mediterranean wine cul- ture. The event was announced by the Sannat Local Council, which said the festival will once again bring together music, gastronomy and community activity in one of the village's main cultural events (Photo: Sannat Local Council)