Participants in this year’s Ability Challenge had to face their first glitch this morning - a flight delay of more than four hours.

Challengers had to leave Malta for Milan on an Air Malta flight at 8.30 a.m. but this has been delayed until 1 p.m.

From Milan, the team continues with a three-hour coach drive to Val de Sole, a valley in the northern part of Trentino Alto Adige, where the challenge will be taking place.

A spokesman for the team said this morning that the delay might mean that games will have to start tomorrow afternoon instead of in the morning. But all would be decided once participants arrive at their hotel and meet the organisers.

The 24 participants will enjoy a series of activities such as whitewater rafting, trekking and off-road biking with custom re-worked bikes will be provided for athletes with disabilities.

The participants come from all walks of life, including soldiers, bank employees, university students, technicians and health inspectors.

They have been going through a series of rigorous indoor and outdoor weekly training sessions under the supervision of qualified personnel from the IASIS Wellbeing and Fitness Centre in Marsascala.

They also raised funds to cover participation costs.

The Ability Challenge by Inspire (The Eden and Razzett Foundation) is organised to raise awareness about people with disabilities and as another exciting way of creating inclusion through sport activities.