Psaila quits as MOC Director of Sport

Amidst the euphoria of Malta's excellent performance in the 2003 Games of the Small States of Europe last week, the Malta Olympic Committee and the sporting fraternity were yesterday rocked by the news that Director of Sport Pippo Psaila has decided to step down.

The news was broken by Psaila himself during a press conference at the MOC headquarters where a review of the Games and the 44 medals won was supposed to have been the main topic on the agenda.

"After reaching our objective of achieving the best ever performance in the GSSE, I think that the time is right for me to step down," an unusually emotional Psaila told a hushed assembly yesterday.

"Last week's results were the return of years of hard work at the Malta Olympic Committee. When we first made our bid in 1999, not everybody here was convinced of our move.

"But today, I am glad that everybody is recognising what a smart decision that was. Now, I am really proud that my colleagues and I have given the Maltese a week of spectacular Games during which our athletes showed their true worth."

This latest resignation is the third one of this administration, following those of Bertie Muscat and Charles Camenzuli. The next elections at the MOC are scheduled for next year.

Psaila, who gave no particular reason for his decision to quit the MOC, said he faced a hectic time while preparing the Games as he had to fulfil duties as Games Director, chef-de-mission and Director of Sport at the MOC.

"I had a lot of responsibility on my shoulders for the past two years," he said. "As Games Director I was responsible for the whole organisation of the GSSE 2003 and that included taking care of all logistical problems and the day-to-day running of the manifestation.

"At the same time, as chef-de-mission and Director of Sport, I had to monitor the progress of the athletes during the build-up for the Games. Once the event got underway, I had to make sure that the whole contingent remained focused and I had to support them in all circumstances, be it in the hour of glory and also when things were not going our way."

Psaila said he was always confident of a good result. "During a seminar after the San Marino Games, I predicted a 48-medal haul in the Malta 2003 edition. My words raised a few eyebrows at the time. Some even said I didn't know what I was saying.

"But, last February, after another thorough evaluation and a study of our provisional athletes' list I had said that we would land between 35 and 45 medals and reiterated those views when the official squad was finally published last month.

"Results show that I was right. Now, I reckon I should be given due credit for the work I have done during the last 10 years. Comparing GSSE results before I took my post in 1993 proves me right."

Before Psaila joined the MOC, Malta had won 45 medals in previous GSSE editions (seven gold, 11 silver and 27 bronze). Then, a series of unprecedented incentives, including schemes to support athletes on an almost professional basis, saw the medal tally increasing to 140 (28 gold, 53 silver and 59 gold).

It was clearly the result of a more organised and studied approach, two qualities synonymous with Psaila during a long career spanning around 26 years of involvement in sport.

"We made sure that our athletes had the best preparation. We introduced the elite, aspirant and Project 2003 schemes to support them," he said.

"These moves were crucial behind our success. All athletes who benefited from these schemes were medal winners last week."

Psaila thanked his colleagues at the MOC for their constant support throughout the years and augured that his eventual successor will work with the same passion and pride, putting the interest of sport at the top of his priorities.

"I have been involved in sport for several years now and I can say that I enjoyed every minute of it," he said. "I was Malta's national football coach as well and some of the results achieved during my tenure have yet to be emulated.

"I augur success to whoever will be appointed as my replacement. I hope the new Director of Sport will be a determined person who doesn't look at the interest of anyone in particular but concerned only about the interest of our sport."

MOC president Lino Farrugia Sacco said he was saddened that a person of Psaila's ability was leaving the Olympic Movement. Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco said Psaila had informed of his decision some eight months ago.

"Certainly, the Director of Sport's resignation is a huge loss to Maltese sport. I tried hard to convince him to reconsider his position but to no avail. He is the kind of person that won't budge from his decision," Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco said.

"The Malta Games, without doubt, were the biggest edition ever organised. In 1985 there were only 250 athletes. For the Malta Games that figure went up to 1,500. Everything from an organisational point-of-view was perfect and for that I must thank my colleagues for the good job they have done."

The MOC head said the committee will be keeping their promise of awarding bonuses to the medal winners.

Lm25,000 in bonuses

"Lm25,000 will be given to our athletes as a reward for their efforts. This is the biggest ever sum delivered by our committee and that proves the high level of performance reached by our athletes.

"Now it is our duty to plan for the future and we will examine in detail what has to be done with all 45 member federations because we know that we can build on this result and reach higher targets."