Gold medal

Following the great success by Australia in winning the gold medal in the trap shooting team event in the Commonwealth games, I would like to congratulate the world-renowned shooter Adam Vella.

The press noted that Adam is of Maltese origin.

Adam is my second cousin and nephew of Lawrence Vella, my grandfather who shot in the Olympic games in Rome in 1960.

Lawrence's son, and Adam's cousin, is the late Larry Vella who still holds the local record and best achievement for trap shooting. He placed tenth in the Moscow Olympics in 1980.

Lawrence's other nephew, Frans Pace, has also represented Malta in various international events, including the Olympic games in Atlanta and Sydney.

I find it very interesting to see all these achievements in one family!

My only biggest disappointment is that Adam had to be shooting for Australia and certain people on our island had made it very difficult for him in the past when we suggested he should be shooting for Malta!

His parents are both Maltese and, therefore, Adam is not only of Maltese origin, but purely Maltese!