The first competitions from the 2011 Mediterranean Friendship Games got underway yesterday in Sicily as Team Malta had reached their destination in Syracuse earlier in the day after a smooth trip across the channel on board the Virtu Ferries catamaran.
Pool and bowling were first in action before the traditional opening ceremony.
While the pool team, composed of Miguel Falzon, Chris Tabone, Antoine Aquilina and Chris Mills, chalked up a comfortable 9-1 win over a Syracuse selection, who are participating on an out-of-competition basis, the tenpin bowlers were down to the serious stuff in the mixed doubles event.
Sue Abela and Justin Caruana Scicluna, her son, recovered from a modest start to power their way to first place with an accumulated score of 2,484 pins. They finished ahead of Sicily pair Daniela Graziano and Salvatore Pizzotto who totalled 2,280.
Malta’s Neil Sullivan and Tiziana Carannante were third on 2,262.
The result was even more significant as the points achieved will be carried forward to today’s final day of competition when the team and the doubles events are played.
Malta’s flag-bearer at the march past was Danica Bonello Spiteri.
During the ceremony, which included athletes from the Sicily NOC and the Syracuse selection, Maltese Olympic Committee president Lino Farrugia Sacco addressed those present and showed his appreciation at the CONI Sicilia collaboration along the years.
“We feel at home here,” he said.
“CONI Sicilia has been a great partner for the Maltese NOC and it’s a great honour for us to be here and compete in these fifth Mediterranean Friendship Games.”
Today, an intense morning of competition awaits participants as bowling and pool will complete their schedule of play. Action, mean-while, kicks off in table tennis, table football, badminton, equestrian and weightlifting.
Table tennis is a novelty at these Games as it’s the first time that this sport is being contested. The Malta team is composed of Andrew Gambina and Daniel Bajada, led by coach Alex Anastasi.
Anastasi is marking his 50th year in the sport having first practised table tennis as a young 12-year-old. He is a staunch promoter of the game and reckons that events like these Games in Sicily will help to nurture better players.
“This is the first time that we’re fielding a team here,” Anastasi told The Times, yesterday.
“I think it is an excellent opportunity for someone like Andrew Gambina to get a taste of the international competition. Daniel Bajada already plays in Italy but for Andrew this is the first time. Matches here will serve him in good stead.”
Anastasi, several times Malta champion, has seen enough to have a clear vision and picture where the future lies for table tennis in our country.
“In my opinion, we need to ensure that the upcoming players get more opportunities to continue their career abroad,” he said.
“Our competitions alone are not enough for them to maximise their potential. Our youngsters need to play on a more consistent basis in top matches and against top opposition to become valid players.
“That can only be achieved if they move outside Maltese shores.”