Aquatic Sports Association president Austin Sammut had words of praise for the Malta team after their very good showing in the recent European 'B' Championships in Lugano.
In Switzerland, the team placed sixth out of 12 participating nations to qualify for the preliminaries of the 'A' Championships to be held in Zagreb next year.
Sammut was addressing a press conference for which officials of the association, national team players and coach Sergio Afric, together with his assistant Peter Decesare were also present.
The ASA president stressed on the fact that waterpolo really deserves the limelight in the media, since it is helping to uphold the prestige of our country in the international sporting scene.
"Like all other disciplines this is a sport which needs the media, and the journalists are doing their part in this respect. Waterpolo deserves its fair share in media," Sammut said.
"We are also in the process of re-structuring the association so that we would have a better administration. The appointment of a PRO and other personnel to help in our administrative sector with the minimum financial load will help to have a more efficient association."
The ASA top official then went on to mention the importance the association is attaching to the national team.
"Everyone appreciated the efforts of the players and the excellent refereeing of Massimo Angileri during the Lugano competition, the work put in by the coaches, the physio, Pierre Borg, and the two ASA representatives, treasurer Edgar Izzo and Joe Agius Ruggier.
"We have the nucleus of a good team with bright prospects for the future," the ASA president said.
Sergio Afric said that the expectations were fulfilled. The players were committed and gave their best especially in the big game against Georgia, who fielded a stronger team than the one they presented in Malta during the qualifying tournament.
As for the level of fitness, Afric acknowledged that our preparation was limited in respect of that of other count-ries.
This shortfall in condition was evident as we had to play seven matches in ten days, and in the end this had an adverse effect on our performances.
"Now we have to start preparing in earnest as from January for the next commitments," the national team coach said.
Captain Paul Privitera, did not play down the fact of our limited physical condition when he said that having to play almost a match every day over a ten-day period is much more demanding for our players, considering they play nine to ten top matches over an eight to nine-week period in summer. He said that other countries had more time for a proper build-up Malta.
"Nevertheless, we are satisfied with our performances since we achieved what we set out to do, that is qualify for the next higher stage of the European Championships," Privitera said.