Modest targets for Luxembourg as MOC names squad

Diane Borg will be running for Team Malta at the 2013 GSSE, in Luxembourg, later this month. Photo: Wally Galea

This year’s Games of the Small States of Europe are less than three weeks away and the Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) are currently fine-tuning preparations ahead of competitions in Luxembourg between May 27 and June 1.

Team Malta will compete in 10 disciplines – athletics, basketball (women), beach volley, cycling, gymnastics, judo, shooting, swimming, table-tennis and tennis.

Yesterday, the MOC an-nounced a provisional list of 61 athletes, more or less on the same levels as two years ago.

At the 2011 Liechtenstein Games, the Maltese produced their best ever performance outside our shores after winning 29 medals – 8 gold, 12 silver and 9 bronze.

However, this time round the MOC are less optimistic of an improvement on that showing following the exclusion of squash and double trap from the sports programme.

Deputy president Mark Cutajar, responsible for the team’s technical preparation in the last few months, admitted a repeat of Liechtenstein 2011 is unlikely.

“The Luxembourg Games will be a tough test for us,” Cutajar told reporters. “The programme of sport is less favourable for us this time.

“Squash, which yielded the country four gold medals two years ago, and the double trap shoot, where we had a good chance of another two medals, were both scrapped.

“Besides, our preparation has been okay but I think that some federations could have done more on the training field. Also we have some top athletes who are struggling for form.

“On a more positive note, sprinter Kevin Moore is here and we are close to finalising negotiations with the Australian Athletics Federation for him to represent Malta on international level.

“All in all, our expectations are quite modest but, hopefully, we can still return with a few medals.”

Cutajar emphasised that those in the squad have attained the minimum qualifying standards set by the MOC while others close to the limit were also included in the provisional squad.

He added that the list published yesterday was almost final and, barring any last-minute mishaps, the only changes will be effected to the women’s basketball squad where four players will be dropped before the selection is finalised.

Julian Pace Bonello, the MOC president, said Vince Scicluna had retained the post of chef-de-mission.

“Vince Scicluna will travel to Luxembourg along with Director of Sport Ivan Balzan a few days before the contingent leaves Malta to ensure that our athletes will settle down nicely at our base,” he said.

“I’m glad that Vince has accepted the job, as in the last months, he has done a lot of valuable work. That way, our preparations for the Games remained on track.”

Pace Bonello, who replaced Lino Farrugia Sacco as organisation head last month, reiterated his stance that the MOC must work closer with the Kunsill Malti għall-iSport in future and revealed that a meeting with Parliamentary Secretary for Sport Stefan Buontempo was on schedule to discuss various issues.

He said: “Local associations need to adopt a long-term financial plan. Government seems to be in favour of our proposals and hopefully next week we can finalise these plans.”

Ivan Balzan was yesterday making his first appearance in a meeting with the media since his appointment as Director of Sport.

“This is a very challenging position,” Balzan said.

“But, I always had a very good relationship with the MOC, particularly Julian Pace Bonello, so I felt comfortable to take up this role.

“My task is basically in line with my vision of sports management, so I’m eager to give my contribution.”

Team Malta for 2013 GSSE

Athletics: K. Moore, A. Grech, R. Camilleri, G. Camilleri, F. Borg, D. Borg, R. Chouhal, R. Saré, R. Zammit, L. Bezzina, N. Brimmer, S. Camilleri, M. Croker, N. Gatt, J. Richard, L. Scerri.

Basketball: B. Thomas, A. Borg, S. Brincat, R. Brincat Thoresen, J. Cardona, E. Cassar, C. Grima, J. Grima, C. Mifsud, S. Pace, L. Sciberras, A. Sciortino, A. Vella, B.L. Zammit, G. Zarb, S. De Martino.

Beach volley: G. Zarb, A. Borg.

Cycling: E. Bonello.

Gymnastics: S. Buttigieg, K. Caruana, P. Dalli, A. Zammit.

Judo: I. Bezzina, M. Korchilava, J. Saywell, J. Camilleri, M. Bezzina, V. Fraser.

Shooting: B. Galea, J. Pisani, E. Bezzina, A. Vella, M. Kisvardai.

Swimming: A. Chetcuti, M. Zammit.

Table tennis: S. Gerada, D. Bajada, P. Lu, V. Lucenkova, J. Pace.

Tennis: M. Asciak, M. Pecotic, R. Dimech, E. Genovese.