Foreign players will again be conspicuous by their absence from Maltese waterpolo next year.

Robbie Ebejer, the president of the Aquatic Sports Association (ASA), confirmed to The Times last night that a motion to bar Maltese clubs from engaging foreign players for next year's domestic competitions was endorsed by the majority of delegates attending the ASA's Annual General Meeting yesterday.

The motion, forwarded by Marsaxlokk, was approved with 10 votes in favour and eight against. The re-introduction of foreign players was widely seen as a positive step for Maltese waterpolo this year but financial constraints look to have prompted the majority of the clubs to rely solely on home players for next season.

Marsascala and Otters had earlier proposed that Maltese clubs be allowed to register up to two foreigners on the basis that professional waterpolo players from EU countries have a right to work in Malta. This proposal was not even considered by the AGM.

Ebejer also told The Times that Sergio Afric, the Croatian coach who has achieved significant success at club level in Malta for much of the past decade, is to be appointed waterpolo manager.

Afric will supervise the training and development of the national selections at senior and youth level besides helping the ASA in its efforts to raise the standard of waterpolo among youngsters.

Asked about the future of Pierre Borg, who has held the post of national coach for the past few years, and youths' mentor Anthony Farrugia, Ebejer said that these will continue to form part of the ASA technical staff.