There was an auspicious start for the Maltese teams in Futsal and basketball yesterday as the 60th edition of the FISEC Games got underway in different venues around the island.
The opening matches from different competitions were played during the day before athletes and officials, including those of late-comers Brazil, gathered at Mdina in the evening for the official opening ceremony which was attended by various distinguished members including Math Pieters, the FISEC International president who is here for the student games.
The Maltese futsal side beat Portugal 5-2 as Samuel Deguara led the basketball team to a resounding 92-34 victory over Portugal.
The towering Deguara potted 30 points in his team's victory at the Ta' Qali pavilion.
James Camilleri scored four of Malta's five goals against Portugal, the other coming from Michael Grima.
At the Centenary Stadium, the Maltese football team drew one-all with England, Jean Paul Farrugia being the scorer for the hosts, while the table tennis boys of Malta B were eliminated in the semi-final stage of the competition, at De La Salle.
There was another upset for the hosts in the handball competition at the University Sports Hall when France beat Malta 22-17. Lyden Zerafa was the best scorer for the Maltese with five goals.
Later on in the day, Malta beat Great Britain 3-1 in volleyball.
At Mdina, FISEC International vice-president Louis Borg welcomed the visitors in a short introductory speech. Pieters then told those present that his organisation is looking to widen its membership with the affiliation of new countries in the group.
"This year we are marking the 60th anniversary of FISEC International," he said. "The occasion makes the Games in Malta even more significant. We are looking to see the FISEC family grow and we intend to see more countries joining our organisation in the near future.
"I also want to show my appreciation to the Maltese organisers of the FISEC Games. Again, they look prepared and all athletes are happy to be here again."
Competitions continue today with the more popular athletics and swimming coming to the scene at the Marsa Sports Ground and the National Pool, Tal-Qroqq.
At De La Salle College, the five-a-side football team play Spain at 11 a.m. and the basketball boys face Spain A in their second match of the tournament, starting at 4 p.m.