Youth team in Brno

A group of 10 athletes are in the Czech Republic for the Third European Kids Athletic Games, starting today in Brno.

For some of the young members of the squad, this is their third visit to the capital of Monrovia, where in the past two editions, competing according to their year of birth, Malta's youth came away with a bagful of medals.

Among the 'veterans' are Tamara Vella and Jana Pace Cocks, both shining and winning medals in the sprints, jumps and relay in the previous Games.

Thanks to their exploits last year, both were accepted to form part of the Maltese Olympic Committee Talent Identification Scheme.

Among the boys, Christian Luke Chetcuti (middle distance) is another 2007 medal winner while for Jeremy Borg, who takes part in the sprints, jumps and relay, it is another ever presence.

Robert Zammit (middle distance), Daniela Gauci Borda (sprints and relay) and Daniel Vella (throws) all aspire to go one better than last year as for sprinter Clayton Sheldon and jumper Ian Paul Grech it is a first taste of an international event abroad.

The other name in the group is that of Nadine Aquilina, who has been consistently upgrading the youth shot putt record during this, her first year in the sport.

The last time she smashed the record she has now made her own, the 3kg metal ball was heaved a distance of 11.02 metres, in the athletic meeting that precisely determined the selection for this year's edition.

Looking after the athletes in this venture, sponsored by the Kunsill Malti għall-iSport and Air Malta, are MAAA Council Member Mario Mifsud, IAAF Level 2 coach, and qualified official Mary Rose Herd.