Delegates to discuss giving more stability to GSSE

Today, eight nations, among whom Malta, will parade their athletes and officials as the contingents line up for the symbolic ceremony which should be attended by some of the top brass from the International Olympic Committee, including president Jacque Rogge, and monarchy members from the Mediterranean principality.

Monaco, the hosts, are currently marking their 100th years in the Olympic Movement. Their Olympic committee leader is none other than the country's head Prince Albert.

Monaco is a city-state in western Europe, located along the French Riviera between the Mediterranean Sea and France.

It is a paradise for the rich and one of six micro-states located in the continent, the others being An-dorra, Liechtenstein, Malta, San Marino and the Vatican City.

Monaco is the world's most densely populated country and second smallest independent nation with a population of just 32,410 and an area of 1.96 square kilometres. It is the world's smallest French-speaking sovereignty.

Most of the delegations reached Monaco and its vicinities by the end of the weekend, trying to get more familiar with the surroundings and sports venues which will be hosting the competitions until next Saturday.

The Maltese Olympic Committee's contingent, led by chef-de-mission Pippo Psaila, includes 57 athletes.

They will participate in eight sport, namely, athletics, swimming, judo, tennis, table tennis, bowls, gymnastics and sailing. The flag-bearer at today's opening ceremony will be swimmer Angela Galea.

The Maltese will not figure in men's basketball, target shooting, volleyball and beach volley.

The first medals to be won are those in athletics, swimming, gymnastics and judo tomorrow. However, before that the now customary delegates' meeting on Day One of the Games will steal most of the limelight.

In fact, this morning two delegates from each GSSE country will attend a meeting where a number of decisions will be taken on the future editions of the Games.

Each time, new amendments are introduced to the rules by the International Bureau.

This year, the focus is likely to be on making a more stable base on the calendar of sport in future editions of the GSSE.

At present, the host country is obliged to organise competitions in athletics and swimming and a team sport. That is compulsory.

However, delegates are now likely to broaden the list of 'must sport' to six, at least. That, many contend, would allow participating countries to prepare a better and longer-term development plan.

This proposal was also mentioned by Psaila, the MOC Director of Sport, in an interview to The Sunday Times last weekend.

Psaila, a member of the Technical Commission within the GSSE Bureau, reckons that the Games need more stability to flourish. He is of the opinion that a fixed calendar of sport, set some four years in advance, would help countries in their build-ups and technical preparation.

The MOC's representatives in today's GSSE Bureau meeting will be president Lino Farrugia Sacco and general secretary Joe Cassar. Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco is a member in the Bureau's Executive Committee.

The main items on the agenda will be the list of sport for Cyprus 2009 and the host country for the 2011 Games, most likely to be staged in Liechtenstein.

Montenegro interest

One interesting issue to be discussed by the Bureau today will be the possible inclusion of Montenegro in the GSSE fold.

Since the Games were established in 1985, there were no new additions to the original list of participating countries, all under a population of one million.

However, Montenegro recently made it public that they will be seeking GSSE entry after securing membership at various other international sports organisations.

Last week, Montenegro, with a population of 650,000, were accepted as FIFA's 208th members at a congress in Zurich. The country was formerly part of Yugoslavia and competed as Serbia and Montenegro at last year's World Cup.

Montenegro gained independence when it split from Serbia in June 2006 and became a full member of UEFA in January.

Next month, Montenegro will move their application to join the IOC during a Congress in Guatemala. Membership at that level would make them automatic candidates for the Small Nations Games even though their entry will have to win the approval of the other GSSE countries.