Cutajar pledges to work closely with associations

Mark Cutajar was yesterday presented as the new Director of Sport of the Maltese Olympic Com-mittee during a conference call at the MOC headquarters in Tal-Qroqq.

Cutajar was elected as Pippo Psaila's successor after polling 57 votes to John Zammit's 12 in a ballot during a MOC council meeting on Thursday night.

"I have been involved in sport for many years and I'm really honoured to be given the opportunity to fill such an important position," Cutajar told the media yesterday.

"My foremost objective is to work closely with all the associations affiliated with the MOC so that the level of sport in Malta continues to improve."

Cutajar has already begun work on the setting up of an independent technical commission. This, he said, will comprise a number of experienced individuals who can contribute towards improving the performance of Maltese athletes.

"I have already approached a number of persons who I believe have the expertise to serve on this commission," Cutajar said. "MOC vice-president Julian Pace Bonello has already accepted to form part of this commission.

"I have a great relationship with Pace Bonello and I'm sure he will be very dedicated to the cause."

Prior to Thursday's election, the MOC Executive Committee members and delegates approved an amendment aimed at clarifying the duties and powers of the Director of Sport. The latter is entitled to consult with associations over the technical preparation of athletes but the statute makes clear that decisions on selection and tactical schemes are to be taken by the coaching teams of the associations.

Cutajar said he has no problem with the amendment.

"The definition of the Director of Sport's role was already in place and this amendment should help to eliminate any grey areas," he said.

"As I've said time and again, it's my intention to work hand in hand with the coaching staff of the different member associations to make sure that our athletes receive the best preparation.

"I am set on maintaining regular contact with the various coaches and discuss ways and means with them to pep up the quality of training for our athletes.

"The GSSE in Cyprus and the Mediterranean Games in Pescara are top of our agenda and we will do our utmost to get the best results possible in these events."

During yesterday's news conference, MOC president Lino Farrugia Sacco announced the names of the chef de missions of the Maltese contingents for the Cyprus GSSE (June 1-6) and the Med. Games (June 26-July 5).

In Cyprus, Team Malta will be led by Vince Scicluna. He will be assisted by Cutajar and Adele Muscat.

"It is a great privilege for me to be appointed chef de mission for the Cyprus GSSE," Scicluna, who served as Malta's assistant chef de mission at the 2003 and 2005 GSSE, said.

"In Cyprus, we need good teamwork since the nine disciplines will be held in three different cities and our athletes will be based in Nicosia and Limassol.

"However, I'm sure that with the help of Mark and Adele, we will do a good job and lead Team Malta to a good result."

MOC secretary Joe Cassar will be Malta's chef de mission in Pescara. He will be assisted by Pace Bonello.

"The Mediterranean Games are the third biggest sports event Maltese athletes take part in after the Olympic Games and the Commonwealths," Cassar said.

"Malta's contingent for the Med. Games will be smaller than that for the GSSE but our aspirations are the same.

"We have already established the minimum qualifying standards our athletes must reach to compete in these Games. In the last two editions, we managed to win a bronze medal and hopefully we can maintain this trend in Pescara."

Non-resident athletes

For his part, Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco reiterated that the MOC, target is for Team Malta to finish fourth overall in the Cyprus 2009 Games. The MOC chief also revealed that there might be some positive surprises in the team selection.

"As we have said on previous occasions, our aim is to place fourth overall in the medal standings in the Cyprus GSSE," he said.

"Unfortunately, during the past six weeks, the athletes' preparations have fallen slightly behind schedule but I'm confident we can make up for lost time in the coming months.

"We have been monitoring prospective participants for these Games and I can confirm that there will be a number of new, non-resident athletes in our squad.

"We are very confident that two gifted athletes will agree to represent Malta in Cyprus. Their participation would greatly boost our chances of gaining fourth place."

The MOC president also announced that Tony Chircop, the president of Athletics Malta, will be responsible for the MOC Sports Awards while Robert Arrigo, a Member of Parliament, has agreed to become Chancellor of the MOC Hall of Fame.

Norman Hamilton has been entrusted with the organisation of the presentation ceremony of the annual MOC Awards.