Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/774426
21 Sport ATHLETICS WATERPOLO FOOTBALL maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 18 JANUARY 2017 Class action by Debono, Bezzina to give repeat performance on Valletta 10k Route Urban Jungle House of Sport 10k Valletta Race attracts hundreds despite weather conditions CHARLTON Debono and Lisa Bezzina are two athletes that certainly need no introduc- tion – both have been domi- nating the athletics headlines with their successful and con- sistent performances. Sunday's Uban Jungle House of Sport 10k Valletta Road Race was no ex- ception despite the inclement weather conditions. Close to two hundred athletes braved the incessant rain on a tough and technical 10k road race which saw them start in Floriana and take a circular, scenic route around Valletta tackling some steep hills in the process. From the outset, it was clear that last year's winner, Charlton Debono was out to attempt a re- peat performance. His efforts were going to be challenged by Mario Grech, Keith Galea and Chris Bezzina. A well-paced ef- fort from Debono saw him wid- en the gap between himself and Mario Grech enabling him to win the race with a comfortable one minute and six second lead over Grech. Grech and Galea had to settle for second and third place on the podium. "The Urban Jungle HoS 10k Valletta edition was another great experience despite the aw- ful weather. After winning last year's first edition, I wanted to get the double especially since Urban Jungle is one of my main sponsors. The constant rain, wind, slippery roads and steep hills did not make life easy but into four kilometres of the race I started building a comfortable lead over my closest contend- er, Mario Grech " - Charlton Debono In the female category Lisa Bezzina was up for a good fight having Roberta Schembri, win- ner of the previous Urban Jun- gle House of Sport 10k Race in Kalkara, Josann Attard Pulis, Margaret Seguna and Caroline Ciappara all v ying for a top plac- ing on the podium. Not to be de- terred by the weather conditions Bezzina soldiered on to take top billing on the route once again. Schembri and Attard Pulis took second and third place on the podium. "Am very satisfied with my performance today, especially due to the challenging nature of not only the route but the weath- er conditions. I am grateful to- wards my coach Ivan Rozhnov and my sponsors in particular Urban Jungle, Garmin Malta, Nyoo Hamrun, Metalform Mal- ta, Athletics Malta and Sport Malta" - Lisa Bezzina "It is always inspiring to see athletes of all levels and capa- bilities be on the start line of every race, however it becomes even more remarkable when these athletes are not fazed by challenging weather conditions" observed Charlie Demanuele, Race Organiser and Director. ". Once again we are grateful for the support given by Urban Jungle as well as the authorities involved – Floriana and Valletta Local Councils, the Police force, in particular Valletta and Traf- fic Police divisions and Trans- port Malta. With the first race of this year's series over, we look forward to the next races, which we hope will be in better weath- er conditions". The race organisers would al- so like to thank Race Officials, Marshalls and medical teams who provided support during the race. The Urban Jungle House of Sport 10k Race Series are being supported by emvigee pr & marketing, Garmin, Pro Active and Starmax. Official timing is provided by Arrts. Full results can be viewed on - http:// valletta.10kseriesmalta.com/re- sults.php The next Race of the Urban Jungle House of Sport 10k Se- ries will be the Ladies Edition, and will be held on Sunday 12th February. The race will start and finish at Tigne Point. Reg- istrations are now open - http:// ladies.10kseriesmalta.com/ Results Males 1 Charlton Debono 33:31 2 Mario Grech 34:37 3 Keith Galea 36:06 Females 1 Lisa Bezzina 38:37 2 Roberta Schembri 40:19 3 Josann Attard Pulis 41:44 Charlton Debono and Lisa Bezzina SLIEMA Betsson Group have been very active in the close season. The club has appointed former star player, Bogdan Rath, as Head Coach. The former Romania and Italy In- ternational, won the league and cup double as a player with the blues in 2009, and has subsequently had suc- cessful coaching stints at San Giljan ASC and Sirens ASC. He replaces Dejan Milakovic who is now at Si- rens ASC. The blues have also secured the signing of Zach Mizzi from Sirens ASC. The strong and talented left handed centre joins on the back of a couple of very positive seasons with the St. Paul's Bay side, where he flourished under the stewardship of Bogdan Rath and will add more options for the blues in attack. Mi- chael Spiteri Staines is back at the club following a season-long loan at Valletta United where he had a pro- lific season. The player has extended his contract with Sliema as did Alex Attard. Both players are expected to play important roles within the coach's plans for the upcoming sea- son. A number of U20 players have also been promoted to the first team squad. The club has also reached an agree- ment with Spain National team cap- tain, Guillermo Molina, to be their foreign player throughout the 2017 Summer season. Molina, who cur- rently plays for Italian Champions, Pro Recco, has previous experience in local competitions, having won the Double with San Giljan in 2015. In the meantime, out-of-contract Timmy Sullivan has rejoined his former club Exiles SC, while John Brownrigg has moved to Sirens. Sul- livan was instrumental in the club's last Knock-Out and Winter League victories. Brownrigg had joined the blues in 2008, winning two League Titles, 4 Knock-Outs and 5 Win- ter League titles in the process. In a club statement, the club thanked both players for their dedication and commitment throughout the years, as well as former coach, Milakovic, wishing them luck in their new en- deavours. Sliema ASC have also carried on with its investment in the youth teams with the appointment of reputable coach Dejan Simeonov within the club's Academy, while also extending Coach Marko Janko- vic's contract. Meanwhile, youth player, Jamie Gambin is undergoing an intensive training camp at OSC Budapest in Hungary throughout the Winter, where he is also playing for the club's U19 side. Sliema ASC announce squad changes Leicester manager Ranieri hopes Chelsea win title LEICESTER City manager Clau- dio Ranieri is hoping fellow Ital- ian Antonio Conte wins the Eng- lish Premier League title with current leaders Chelsea. Ranieri led Leicester to a shock triumph in the competition last year but they are languishing 15th in the 20-team standings, 31 points adrift of his former club. "As former Chelsea coach and as an Italian supporter, I hope that Conte can achieve the goal," Ranieri told reporters in Flor- ence on Tuesday ahead of the Italian Hall of Fame. "(Conte) came without uproar but demonstrated that the Ital- ian school of coaches is valid more than ever," he added. Ranieri, who led Leicester to the English title for the first time in their history, is contracted to the midlands club until 2020 but he is not sure about his future. "I hope to remain in England, I'm good here, even though in football one day you are in the stars and the next day in the dust, so never say never," the 65-year-old said. Antonio Conte