I refer to the article entitled ‘Outsourcing talent’ by Jonathan Cilia , which appeared in a magazine distributed every month with The Sunday Times of Malta. While I would say that the article is well balanced, I cannot understand why he picked up on a sport in which only athletes who hold a Maltese passport can represent their country in an international competition. We all know there are other sports associations that do field foreign athletes (not holding a Maltese passport) to represent Malta.

One needs to be very clear in one’s mind when defining ‘foreign-born athletes’.

The author mentions Kevin Moore and Charlotte Wingfield. In Moor’s case, I am informed that he was born from a Swedish mother and a Maltese father, lived his early childhood in Malta and then moved to Australia with his family when he was six years old.

Wingfield was born in the United Kingdom from a British mother and a Maltese father. I am told that when she submitted her application for Maltese nationality and a Maltese passport, the Department of Citizenship informed her that she “does not need to apply for dual citizenship as she is Maltese since birth”. So much for being a foreign athlete!

I also know that both Moore and Wingfield have Maltese relatives living here.

If a sporting association receives an application from someone living abroad but holding a Maltese passport and is, therefore, recognised by the government as a Maltese citizen, can the association refuse to recognise the athlete as being Maltese and not offer him/her all the opportunities open to all other local athletes?

Some years back, when I was present of the MAAA, the athletic association had set a policy that, for an athlete to be eligible to represent Malta, s/he needs not only to be the best in his/her particular event but must also hold a Maltese passport. This policy has always been adhered to.

In addition, the MAAA is bound to adhere to, first and foremost, the regulations of the International Association of Athletic Federations. Cilia was correct when be mentioned Bahrain. The athletic association of that country, having ample financial resources at its disposal, was blatantly attracting some of the best athletes in the world to join its national team.

Why are athletes, born of Maltese parents but living abroad so much superior to local athletes?

This did not go unnoticed by the IAAF which, some eight years ago introduced a new rule: “In international competitions under rule 1 (a) and (b), member federations shall be represented only by citizens of the country or territory which the affiliated member represents.” I was present during the general congress when this rule was unanimously approved and clearly remember the appeal that IAAF president Lamine Diack made on the importance that the rule is approved to prevent further damage to the sport.

Now, in relation to both Moore and Wingfield, the new rule continues to state that “if an athlete holds dual citizenship of two (or more) countries (or territories) he may represent the member of either (or any) of them, as he may elect. However, having once represented his elected member in an international competition… he shall not represent another member of which he is a citizen for a period of three years from the date that he last represented the first elected member”.

Cilia also mentioned Tanya Blake. Born of a Maltese mother, she had dual citizenship and a Maltese passport and is the only Maltese athlete who has, so far, actually achieved the necessary standard and qualified to participate in the Olympic Games on her own merits.

Could the MOC or the MAAA possibly refuse to include such an athlete in the Olympic team?

Rebecca Sare was also mentioned. After several years of training and hard work, the athlete managed to establish a national record in the triple jumps. She has indeed won our admiration for her stamina and perseverance.

However, I think it is only fair to mention here that there were other athletes who had achieved quite a high standard in their respective events.

These include Carol Walsh, Rebecca Camilleri, Diane Borg, Darren Gilford, Janet Richard and Francesca and Martina Xuereb.

I really cannot agree more with Sare when she declared that “if we want to see Maltese athletes shine in the Olympics or the World Games, the government and sports institutions need to offer more opportunities and financial resources”.

One would perhaps also ask: why are athletes, born of Maltese parents but living abroad, so much superior to local athletes?

When our athletes participate in an international event, the people they are competing against have at their disposal the best facilities one would find in high performance training centres, very qualified, truly motivated and well-paid coaches, as well as financial incentives and opportunities to go for training camps and participation abroad.

Finally, I would like to stress that I write this article in my personal capacity and not on behalf of any organisation.

Anthony Chircop is a former president of the Malta Amateur Athletic Association.