The Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) yesterday signed a one-year co-operation agreement with the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI). The deal will see local sports organisations benefit from technical aid from the Italians during 2009.
The signing was made by MOC president Lino Farrugia Sacco and Raffaele Pagnozzi, general secretary of CONI, during a conference call at the Grand Hotel Excelsior.
Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco said CONI have been supporting Maltese sport for a number of years now. Their assistance, he said, has been a crucial factor behind the progress and significant results achieved by the Maltese on the international scene.
"We're delighted that CONI have once again decided to give us a helping hand in the technical sector," the MOC president told reporters.
"I say this signing is only a formality as our Italian counterparts have been providing us with further assistance that is not actually written in the protocol."
Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco said that thanks to the new agreement, those of sailing, athletics, judo, shooting, swimming, tennis, table-tennis and weightlifting will be given the opportunity to attend training camps in Italy. There, they will be guided by professional coaches and technical staff at CONI.
"This agreement is almost crucial for our sport as it gives us the opportunity to see how others prepare, particularly ahead of international competitions," Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco added.
"We are all looking forward to 2009 when the country will figure in the GSSE, in Cyprus, and the Mediterranean Games, in Pescara.
"Our target for the next GSSE has already been set - fourth place overall in the medals table. That would be an unprecedented achievement as we have never attained that position in a GSSE outside our shores before. There are also high hopes that we can achieve our best ever showing in the Mediterranean Games."
The MOC head is confident most goals will be reached.
"Certainly, we are doing all we can to assemble our strongest team and we're confident that we will achieve our objectives," he said.
"On a longer term, the new quadrennial will reach a climax at the 2012 Olympics. After producing our best ever performance in Beijing, we want to continue our climb up the ladder and show better qualities in the biggest sporting event of all in London."
Pagnozzi described the long-standing relationship between his organisation and the MOC as perfect. He is hopeful that the Maltese will gain maximum benefit from the new agreement.
"We have been engaged in this kind of programmes with the MOC since 1988," Pagnozzi, the father-in-law of Milan defender Alessandro Nesta, said.
"The rapport between the two organisations is excellent, as always, particularly with the MOC president and officials Joe Cassar and Charles Camenzuli.
"CONI holds the MOC in high esteem and considers it as part of our family. Now, we are hopeful that this agreement will strengthen this bond."
Pagnozzi added that he cannot not understand why Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco has come under fire recently for his role at the MOC vis-a-vis his profession.
"This situation really baffles me," Pagnozzi said.
"In my long experience in sport administration, there were several other cases where federations were run by members of the judiciary and some have made a telling contribution to the sport.
"What I can say is that I have known the MOC president for several years now, mostly through his involvement in the Mediterranean Games, and I can say that he has been one of the best administrators we've ever had. No doubt, he is a great asset to Maltese sport."
Meanwhile, in the past weeks, reports in the UK media said that, due to the difficult financial situation worldwide, the British Olympic Committee's budget for the 2012 Olympics has been scaled down.
Asked whether CONI were facing the same scenario, Pagnozzi replied: "Unfortunately yes.
"What I can tell you is that because of the credit crunch we were told that we could get 25 per cent less than we were originally promised by the government.
"Fortunately, things look to be improving and after a series of talks, the senate has agreed on some new amendments which should help us recover almost all the funds we were going to lose for 2009."