Chetcuti hailed as best Maltese sportsman ever

As expected, most of the Maltese Olympic Committee focus, in their 2009 Mediterranean Games review, was on William Chetcuti who again underlined his reputation as one of the best double trap shooters around after winning a silver medal in Pescara.

Chetcuti produced a superb display that saw him totalling 189 points, including a fine 49 in the barrage, to finish one clay behind gold medal winner Daniele Di Spigno, of Italy, who hit 190.

For Chetcuti, this was his eighth medal from ten international competitions.

"William is without doubt Malta's best ever sportsman," MOC president Lino Farrugia Sacco said while presenting a certificate of merit to the double trap ace.

"With all due respect to others, I think there has never been anyone who left his mark on the international scene the way William did.

And the most encouraging thing is that at 24 he is still young and all his best years are still ahead of him.

"In Pescara, he beat world class opponents and if it wasn't for some controversial decisions from the judges he could have easily returned home with a gold medal instead."

Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco, however, noted that apart from Chetcuti's result, there were other positives to take from Team Malta's performance in Pescara.

"It wasn't just William in Pescara. Clive Farrugia's effort in skeet was also commendable. He scored some impressive scores, including a straight, and it won't be long before we start hearing more of this upcoming shooter.

"We were also satisfied with the performances of David Farrugia, in bowls, and Chris Camilleri in kayak. They are two very dedicated sportsmen who were very competitive in these Games. David just missed out on a medal while Chris improved his national records by a huge margin."

New role

The Pescara experience was also positive for the MOC president himself.

He was re-elected as member of the Med. Games Executive Committee until 2013 and handed the onus of heading the organising committee of the next Med. Games in the Greek city of Volos.

"This will be an important role for me but the Pescara experience has also given us food for thought in terms of which athletes should be given the opportunity to compete," Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco said.

"I think it's useless to have someone in events where it's difficult to challenge for a top placing given the high standard of the competition."

Mark Cutajar, the MOC Director of Sport, said overall Team Malta's performance in Abruzzo was satisfactory even though some results could have been better.

"William deserves all the praise he is receiving because he showed great talent and determination in winning the silver medal," Cutajar said.

"Clive Farrugia and Chris Camilleri gave their all and so did golfer Andy Borg.

"Maya Podesta's final placing in sailing's Laser Radial was somewhat unexpected though so we will try to find out the real reasons for this."

Cutajar said Raffa player Farrugia also deserves credit.

"Despite heavy odds staked against him, David Farrugia managed a fourth placing in a competition that had the best bowlers in the region.

"They told me he's being courted by an Italian club but I hope the local federation will promote the sport more vigorously as we have to nurture more players like Farrugia."