Malta was one of 16 countries that took part in the annual European Kids Athletics Games, held in the Czech Republic.

Liam Mckay underlined his potential after winning the cadets high jump event in Brno. A leap of 1.63 metres, a new national record, earned Mckay the gold medal.

Edward Bezzina delivered Malta’s first medal.

Competing in the shot put event, which attracted strong athletes from Eastern European countries where this discipline is very popular, Bezzina produced a throw of 14.18 metres to win bronze after finishing third.

Another podium finish for Malta was secured by young athlete Matthew Portelli. After running strongly in the heats, Portelli came in second in the cadets 150m final to win silver in 18.61 seconds.

The boys’ cadet relay team, composed of Omar Elaida Chaffey, Mckay, Portelli and Jacob Elaida Chaffey, showed great focus and discipline in their event, the 4x60m relay, to win a deserved silver medal.

The Maltese quartet clocked 31.29 seconds.

The fifth and final medal for the Maltese contingent came from the boys youth relay team, made up of Luke Scicluna, Stefano Pace Parascandalo, Michak Pavia and Miguel Grixti. They finished second in the 4x60m relay in a new national record of 28.55 seconds.

Apart from the medal winners, there were also encouraging performances from other promising athletes, namely Cathriona Cuschieri, fourth in the youth shot put final, Nicole Attard Glivau, who qualified for the finals in both the 60m and 150m youth races, and Haley Buttigieg who reached the final in the cadets 150m event.

Two other athletes who had a good race were Ian Pace and Miriam Gauci in the youth 1,500m events.

The Maltese contingent was led by Mauro Pace Parascandalo, vice-president of the Malta Amateur Athletics Association, and Anthony Fava, the international secretary.