Double motivation as athletes vie for national team selection

The two-day National Championships this weekend should indeed be very interesting for those who follow the sport.

Coming just two weeks before the European Team Championships (June 19-20), this event can be considered as trials for selection to the national team.

One has yet to see some of the best local athletes participating this year, as some, for reasons best known to them or their coaches, have not taken part in track and field meetings so far in the season.

A good competition is expected in the women's long jump with Alexandra Pace, the only female athlete to surpass the six-metre mark, to be challenged by Rebecca Camilleri who, on several occasions, had come close but never managed to go beyond this mark.

Lovers of the sport augur Martina and Francesca Xuereb good form as they bid to return to winning ways in the 200m and 400m events. In the shorter sprints, one anticipates Diane Borg to show her mettle.

In the corresponding event for men, Rashid Chouhal should expect a stiff challenge from Andy Grech. Hopefully, Owen Camilleri will regain his good form after a relatively long absence from the track due to an injury.

Another valid athlete who is expected to participate in both the 200m and triple jump is Alistair Vella Stiles.

Unfortunately, notable absentees are Jean Paul Callus in the javelin throw and Charlene Attard in the sprints, both out nursing injuries.

In the middle distance, an ever present Mark Herrera is gradually improving his time in the 800m and 1,500m. A time of 3:55.0 in the 1,500m is well within his reach while Jonathan Balzan will certainly be a strong contender for the 5,000m.

The fact that the European Team Championships are being held in Malta, a competition that will attract over 500 athletes from 14 countries, has in fact motivated athletes to try new events, as was the plan of Athletics Malta.

In field events, Antonella Chouhal has shown significant progress, demonstrated recently in the hammer where she has improved the national record three times.

All in all, the championships promise to provide great excitement.

Events at the Matthew Micallef Athletic Stadium are to commence at 4 p.m. today and tomorrow.