'More organisation needed for swimmers to prosper'

Despite having the blue Mediterranean sea surrounding our country, Malta has never really been a major force in GSSE swimming events. It was only in the 1993 Games, when we played as hosts and the new Tal-Qroqq pool was inaugurated that we landed eight medals in this discipline. Since then we only managed a meagre tally of four podium positions from four editions. No swimmer has ever won gold.

After the San Marino experience, however, things seem to be moving in the right direction in this arena. In 2001, the ASA had ruled out any medal hopes. According to national coach Attila Selmeci his swimmers were in a transitional period and all they could have aspired to was a fourth or fifth placing in selected finals.

Yet, the hard training put in by the swimmers did yield some dividends as the ASA selection returned home with a bronze medal, clinched by Angela Galea who set a new national mark in the 200m butterfly on her way to a third placing. Most of the other swimmers in that 2001 group had a satisfactory performance as a few other records and personal bests were also established.

Two years on and the Malta Games are on our doorstep.

Selmeci, a former Hungary Olympian, reckons that this time things are looking slightly better. According to him, his swimmers are now in a better shape. Competition is tough but he still reckons they can do better than winning one medal as happened in the previous GSSE.

"No doubt, our swimmers have come a long way since San Marino," Selmeci said. "In 2001, we had a very young squad with little or no medal aspirations. The gap compared to the other GSSE swimmers was unassailable at the time. However, Angela was fantastic in the 200m 'fly and managed a surprising medal.

"Looking at these Games, I think our showings will be better than San Marino. The times achieved lately mean our swimmers have stepped up a level.

"Take Neil Agius, for instance. In 2001 he had bettered the 1,500m free-style record by 10 seconds. Since then he kept progressing consistently. In Lisbon, last week, he went down by 36 seconds from that San Marino 1,500m timing.

"Angela is still our best chance for medal success though. She is getting better and better with each race. Next week, I think she can aspire for a medal in both the 100 and 200m 'fly. But, in this sport there are no certainties. Everything depends on how the swimmers perform on the day."

For Selmeci, the Malta Games will be his final appearance at the helm of the national team. His contract expires next month.

He took over from Romanian Mikhail Goethe after the Liechtenstein Games, four years ago. Although significant progress was achieved, he reckons there is still a long way to go before Malta can be competitive at international level.

"The ASA has done a lot in the past few years to improve the interest in the sport and build solid grounds," he said.

SPU milestone

"I think that the setting up of the Swimming Promotion Unit has been an important milestone because it attracts swimmers from a young age. Also, the swimming nurseries at the various clubs are doing a useful job. But that is still not enough.

"I believe swimmers should be given much more respect for what they are doing. The constant improvement in results is due to the dedication and support they are receiving, especially from their parents. They are always here at the pool to encourage their children who many times find themselves in difficult conditions, like having the water below the required temperature for training in winter.

"The authorities have to generate more interest and urge more children to take up swimming... it's healthy. I think Malta badly needs a 25m indoor pool for swimming purposes only - that would really be a boost.

"The National Pool is a good venue but most of the time we end up sharing lanes with waterpolo players, those from triathlon, foreign swimmers and the local public as well.

"An indoor pool is not a luxury but a must if the ASA wants to seriously build a strong national team that can aspire to win gold medals in the GSSE."