Cautious optimism as hopes hinge on emerging talent

Malta’s chances of emulating the fine showing at the 2011 Liechtenstein GSSE look slim but the upcoming athletes can make their mark in Luxembourg.

[attach id="255675" size="medium"]Rebecca Camilleri has established herself as one of the leading Maltese athletes ahead of the GSSE. Photo: Wally Galea[/attach]

Two years ago, Maltese athletes returned from Liechtenstein with the best ever away result in the GSSE – a total of 29 medals, eight gold, 12 silver and nine bronze.

The 2013 Games will be staged in Luxembourg between May 27-June 1 and the new Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) administration, elected into office late last month, are somewhat sceptical about the country’s chances of emulating the success achieved two years ago.

The impression is that the technical department within the MOC is not 100 per cent satisfied with the athletes’ preparations which may have been disrupted by the election process and delays in the distribution of funds to those federations involved in the GSSE.

It’s not all gloom and doom though.

Past experiences show that the element of surprise may crop up in such scenarios and, if the more-quoted athletes fail to deliver, the country can rely on others in the team to obtain positive results.

In Liechtenstein, Athletics Malta produced its best all-time performance in the GSSE when scooping 14 medals, four of which were gold.

However, injuries to key athletes have jolted hopes of a repeat of that result later this month.

Diane Borg, winner of three medals two years ago, is still far from her best form after months of rehab from a foot injury while Charlene Attard, another gold medallist in 2011, has pulled out injured.

Still, there have been positive signs emerging from the Marsa track in recent weeks.

Rebecca Camilleri has established herself as the fastest sprinter after winning the 100m in the National Championships and was also impressive in her favourite discipline, the long jump. She made it a double after a wind-assisted leap of 6.31 metres.

In the men’s events, Steve Camilleri, 21, is finally fulfilling his promise after completing a 100/200 double in the nationals.

Kevin Moore is widely expected to secure a second successive gold medal in Luxembourg in the 400m while the evergreen Giselle Camilleri is again among the contenders in the longer distances.

Athletics coach Mario Micallef believes a new crop of track and field competitors may also leave their mark in Luxembourg.

He said: “We have some of our established athletes struggling with injuries. However, we’re not too downhearted about our chances.

“The likes of Kevin Moore and Rebecca Camilleri are in great form while we have a group of youngsters who are showing a lot of promise.

“Robyn Zammit, Francesca Borg, Nicole Gatt, Janet Richard and Luke Bezzina are a breath of fresh air and their enthusiasm and dedication have given our team a timely lift.

“We are still very cautious in our predictions but I’m confident we could have a few positive outcomes in Luxembourg.”

Like athletics, the judo organisation are pinning their hopes on a blend of experience and new talent with GSSE veterans Marcon Bezzina and Joanna Camilleri teaming up with Murman Korchilava, Jeremy Saywell, Isaac Bezzina and Vanessa Frazier.

Coach Alex Bezzina reckons the Maltese judokas can improve on their performance at the 2011 Games where two silver medals and a bronze were obtained.

“In the build-up, our judokas were involved in several training camps and competitions outside the country and we had some excellent results,” he said.

“But it’s hard to make predictions. We know that Marcon and Joanna are driven by a desire to make an impact and lead the team to success but we know that competition in Luxembourg will be tough.”

Genovese confident

This month, the table tennis association are expected to field one of their most competitive teams in the GSSE for several years.

The experienced Simon Gerada, a multi-medal winner at this level, will be joined by an improved Daniel Bajada in men’s events.

However, the big novelty is in the women’s competition where Malta will have three players – Jessica Pace, Peng Fei Lui and newcomer Viktoria Lucenkova.

The team will be under the supervision of former Malta champion Mario Genovese who made no secret of his lofty ambitions.

“This is a very competitive squad we have,” Genovese said.

“We’re expecting strong performances from Lucenkova and Peng while Pace will surely gain more valuable experience in her second appearance in the Games. Having three girls in our selection also boosts our chances in the team event where we can rotate freely during the competition.

“Daniel has been playing really well in Italy this season while Simon has beaten some top players at the Victoria Cham­pionships.”

Double Trap has been omitted from the shooting programme this year and this was a huge blow to the country’s medal chances with William Chetcuti and Nathan Lee Xuereb favoured to finish on the podium had the shoot been held.

The hopes now rest on Trap marksmen Brian Galea and Jeffrey Pisani.

“Jeffrey Pisani and Brian Galea are relatively new and not among the popular names in GSSE circles, but they stepped up their performances in the run-in to Luxembourg,” coach Antoine Bugeja said.

“They have a good picture of what to expect in Luxembourg as they’ve already taken part in a training camp at the same range where the GSSE shoots will be held.”

In target shooting, the Malta Sport Shooting Federation selection includes three female contenders, Alison Vella and Marianna Kisvardai in air-rifle, and Eleonor Bezzina in air-pistol.

Coach Angelo Galea has seen enough from his shooters to feel confident.

“We may not rank among the favourites but we remain positive,” he said.

“The facilities in Luxembourg are different and more modern than what we have at Bidnija. Shooters will aim at electronic targets which give competitors less time to adjust from one shot to another.

“Our shooters were in Luxembourg earlier this month to get a feel of what’s to come.

“The 2011 Games were rather disappointing for Marianna and Eleonor, in particular, but I’m sure they’re better prepared now and will want to prove that they can challenge for a medal.”