MOC presents grants to GSSE medal winners

Malta's medal winners in the 12th edition of the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) took centre stage once again, this time during a celebration party in honour of Team Malta's achievements in Monaco.

During the social gathering, which marked the end of the official events related to the Monaco GSSE 2007, the Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) awarded grants to the medal winners.

A total of Lm14,000 was distributed to the successful athletes with Malta's gold medal winners, namely judokas Joanne Camilleri and Marcon Bezzina and sailors Benji and Sean Borg, receiving Lm800 to help finance their training and technical preparation.

For the first time ever, the MOC presented Participation Certificates and mementos to all the athletes who formed part of the Maltese contingent at the Monaco GSSE.

Those present were addressed by Louis Galea, the Minister of Education, Youth and Employment. Dr Galea congratulated the athletes who struck success at the 2007 GSSE and offered positive comments for the professional attitude shown by the athletes and officials in Monaco last month.

Lino Farrugia Sacco, the MOC president, said Team Malta's showing in Monaco underlined the progress achieved by local athletes in recent years.

He added that Malta's supremacy in certain disciplines augured well for the nation's prospects for the next GSSE, to be held in Cyprus in 2009.