A Malta Pool Association delegation leaves the island today on their way to Blackpool for the World Pool Championships which start tomorrow.

England are the top favourites. With a string of professionals in their set-up, the current champions will try to keep the title home. Runners-up Ireland will field a strong team with Tony Holgate, another professional, doing his utmost to lead his team to victory. Wales, cup winners two years ago, will again launch another strong challenge.

With snooker's Main Tour player Quinten Hann in the squad, Australia are also likely to provide a stiff challenge while France are always difficult to beat.

Other countries taking part are Scotland, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Belgium, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Kenya, South Africa, West Indies and newcomers Spain.

For the first time Malta's national team will be boosted by the presence of Tony Drago. He will be joining the team in Blackpool and plays alongside Raymond Demanuele, Mario Vassallo, Antoine Cuschieri, Ivan Rizzo, Clayton Attard, Kevin Mercieca and debutants Stephen Mangion and Joseph Camilleri.

Once again, the association entrusted the national team to Carmel Cilia.

Malta will also be represented in the juniors championships. Miguel Falzon, Malcolm Azzopardi, John Paul Mifsud and Wayne Farrugia will make their first international appearance in England. They join Neil Aquilina and Daniel Ferriggi. The juniors side will be managed by Manuel Lauro.

Baskal Sciberras will be Malta's official referee in these championships. Vincent Degiorgio, association secretary and treasurer of the World Eight-Ball Pool Federation, heads the Maltese contingent in Blackpool.

Degiorgio said the world tournament was an important date in the association's calendar. There was serious preparation and he is very optimistic that once again Malta will keep its high level profile in the world pool arena.

He also thanked Air Malta for their continued support towards his organisation.