Double Trap shooter and gold medal hopeful William Chetcuti will be the flag-bearer in front of the Malta contingent for the opening ceremony of the Games of the Small States of Europe in Andorra on May 30.
Malta Olympic Committee president Lino Farrugia Sacco made this official announcement at the end of a final athletes' meeting at the local governing body headquarters at Tal-Qroqq late on Monday.
The news was greeted by a warm applause of approval from athletes and delegates who attended the meeting ahead of the biennial sports festival that starts on May 30 and comes to a close on June 4.
The choice of Chetcuti could not have been more appropriate as the 20-year-old has been Malta's top sports performer at international level for a few years now.
Apart from the 2003 GSSE Malta gold medal, the 'Bidnija prodigy' has also collected a spate of impressive results in overseas competitions.
That includes a very prestigious bronze medal in the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, ninth-placing in the 2004 Athens Olympics and last year he was crowned European Junior Champion in Nicosia. On this last occasion, he established a world record in his category when he smashed 146 clays from 150.
The International Shooting Federation recognised Chetcuti's feat in Cyprus and awarded him with a Diploma of Honour which was presented to him by Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco in the presence of coach Jimmy Bugeja and Shooting Federation president Saviour Portelli.
"I'm really proud to have been chosen to carry Malta's flag during the opening ceremony in Andorra," he said.
"This means a lot to me.
"I have always tried to put the name of my country among the top nations in our sport and now I look forward to do well in Andorra. I thank the Malta Olympic Committee for giving me such an honour. I promise to do my best to win another medal and wish the other athletes the best of luck."
This is the first time that Chetcuti will be holding Malta's flag during the Games.
In 2001, in San Marino, the contingent was led by table-tennis player Simon Gerada. Two years ago it was middle-distance runner Tanya Blake who held the flag in the parade at the National Stadium.
In Andorra, Chetcuti will be among the favourites to win a gold medal. His current form is pointing to a successful defence of the Double Trap title he won two years ago. Last week he won an international shoot in Germany, hitting 180 from 200 clays.
On Monday, Chef-de-Mission Pippo Psaila urged the athletes to give their 100 per cent during the Games and focus all their attention on the sporting arena.
"No doubt, there will be pressure and tense moments but in Andorra you will not only represent your federation and country but also those who failed to make the contingent," Psaila said.
"We have to sympathise with these athletes who should be very disappointed not to have reached the required standards.
"But, their omission is also down to the high standards the other athletes have managed to establish during the past few years, something that lifted our sport in no small way."
For some, results in the GSSE are a milestone, Psaila said. But, to win medals athletes have to concentrate on performances. He told them to pick up courage and hide all emotions and jitters before the challenge.
"The only recipe for success at this level is to give your 100 per cent," Psaila warned.
"If you give your maximum I'm sure you will be successful. The next 10 days will be difficult from a psychological point of view. Some will doubt whether they're prepared for the occasion or whether they have enough talent to perform on the day.
"But this is a common feeling and something natural in sports. My advice is for athletes to concentrate on performances and the targets set... positive results will reward your efforts."
Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco had similar words of encouragement to the athletes.
"Two years ago, we finished with an astonishing 44-medal haul in Malta. That helped us to place fourth overall, a result we had never managed to achieve before," he said.
"There was significant progress in results and the other countries in the GSSE now know of our qualities... they will not take us lightly in no sport.
"So we expect each one in our contingent to reach the highest level of performance possible. We're confident in our group and fully aware that there's enough talent to succeed and make Andorra 2005 another memorable experience for Maltese sport."
GSSE flag-bearers
1985 San Marino
Alex Bezzina Judo
1987 Monaco
Chris Cassar Torreggiani Athletics
1989 Cyprus
Ray Muscat Basketball
1991 Andorra
Helen Asciak Tennis
1993 Malta
Carol Curmi Tennis
1995 Luxembourg
Gordon Asciak Tennis
1997 Iceland
Jackie Xuereb Judo
1999 Liechtenstein
Laurie Pace Judo
2001 San Marino
Simon Gerada Table Tennis
2003 Malta
Tanya Blake Athletics
2005 Andorra
William Chetcuti Shooting
Valhmor Camilleri