Lydan Debono wins the sixth IZIBET Elite Athlete Award for 2024
Lydan Debono wins the sixth IZIBET Elite Athlete Award for 2024
National Lottery plc and the Malta Sports Journalists Association (MSJA) are pleased to announce that Lydan Debono won the sixth IZIBET Elite Athlete Award for 2024, covering the months of November and December.
On Saturday 9th November, Lydan Debono was crowned Blackball World Champion beating English player Dean Shields 10-5 in the World Blackball Championship’s final held in Malta.
Debono faced an early challenge, losing the opening two frames of the best-of-19 final. However, the determined Maltese player maintained his composure, mounting an impressive comeback by winning five consecutive frames. The Englishman momentarily halted Debono’s momentum by clinching the eighth frame, but that was just a temporary reprieve as Debono claimed the next three frames to surge 8-3 ahead. Even though Shields narrowed the gap to 9-5, Debono was flawless with a fine table clearance in the 15th frame to seal a 10-5 victory.
Franco de Gabriele, Chief Commercial Officer of IZI Group commented “Lydan’s achievement on the world stage is a testament to his unwavering dedication and talent. Winning the Blackball World Championship is no small feat, and his ability to rise to the occasion under pressure is truly commendable. At IZIBET, we are proud to support and celebrate Maltese sporting excellence, and Lydan’s success further reinforces the value of hard work and perseverance in achieving greatness.”
Clinton Buhagiar, President of the Malta Sports Journalists Association said, “The bravery Lydan demonstrated in the final was truly remarkable. His relentless dedication and continuous training throughout the year have paved the way for this success, making his victory at the World Championships no surprise to me. The sport of blackball is steadily gaining popularity in our country, and I am confident that Lydan will continue to excel and inspire others in this discipline.”
The IZIBET Elite Athlete Award recognises exceptional performances by local athletes and is awarded every two months.
A selection board composed of sports journalists and sports observers is responsible for evaluating the athlete’s achievements during the designated review periods, ensuring a fair and thorough assessment process.
In the meantime, the official website of the Malta Sports Journalists Association provides the rules and regulations governing the award.
(From left) James Morgan Brand Manager for IZIBET, Lydan Debono, Clinton Buhagiar (President of the Malta Sports Journalists Association) and Stephen Azzopardi (Administrator of the Malta Sports Journalists Association).
Lydan Debono jirbaħ is-sitt IZIBET Elite Athlete Award għas-sena 2024
National Lottery plc u l-Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sports, bi pjaċir iħabbru li Lydan Debono rebaħ is-sitt unur tal-IZIBET Elite Athlete Award li jkopri x-xhur ta’ Novembru u Diċembru 2024.
Nhar is-Sibt 9 ta’ Novembru, Lydan Debono ġie nkurunat Champion tad-Dinja tal-Blackball meta fil-finali tal-Kampjonati Dinjija tal-Blackball, li kienu qed isiru f’Malta, għeleb lill-Ingliż Dean Shields 10-5.
Bidu iebes għal Debono li tilef l-ewwel żewġ frames mill-aqwa minn 19-il frame. Madanakollu il-plejer Malti ma ħarisx lura u kellu wirja stupenda fejn rebaħ ħames frames konsekuttivi. Għal ftit tal-ħin Shields naqas id-distakk iżda Lydan Debono rebaħ il-ħmistax-il frame deċiżiv.
Franco de Gabriele, Chief Commercial Officer ta’ IZI Group kellu kliem ta’ tifħir dwar il-prestazzjoni straordinarja ta’ Lydan Debono fejn qal, “Is-suċċess dinji ta’ Lydan huwa r-riżultat tad-dedikazzjoni kbira tiegħu. Il-fatt li huwa rebaħ il-Kampjonat tad-Dinja tal-Blackball mhijiex xi ħaġa żgħira u l-ħila tiegħu li jqum għall-okkażjoni minkejja li jkun taħt pressjoni hija xi ħaġa tassew kbira. Aħna bħala IZIBET inħossuna kburin li nissaportjaw u niċċelebraw l-eċċelenza fl-isport Malti u s-suċċess ta’ Lydan ikompli jsaħħaħ il-ħidma ma taqta’ xejn u l-perseveranza sabiex ikollna aktar minn dawn is-suċċessi.”
Min-naħa tiegħu, Clinton Buhagiar, il-President tal-Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sports qal, “Il-qlubija li wera Lydan fil-finali hija xi ħaġa impressjonanti. Lydan ilu jaħdem għal dan is-suċċess b’taħriġ kontinwu matul is-sena kollha u li rebaħ il-Kampjonati tad-Dinja mhijiex ta’ sorpriża għalija. L-isport tal-blackball, aktar ma jmur aktar qed jikber f’pajjiżna u nittama li Lydan ikun wieħed minn dawk li jkomplu jimirħu sew f’din id-dixxiplina.”
Il-għan tal-IZIBET Elite Athlete Award huwa li jirrikonoxxi s-suċċessi miksuba mill-atleti lokali kull xahrejn.
Il-bord tal-għażla huwa magħmul minn ġurnalisti u osservaturi sportivi li se jkunu qed jevalwaw bir-reqqa il-kisbiet tal-atleti matul ix-xhur u jassiguraw li jkun hemm il-korretezza matul il-proċess kollu tal-għażla.
Ir-regolamenti tal-IZIBET Elite Athlete Award jistgħu jinkisbu minn fuq il-website tal-Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sports.
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