The men's basketball team will be competing in next month's Games of the Small States of Europe in Cyprus. Yesterday Bruno Dipietrantonio's team were included in the official list of athletes announced by the Maltese Olympic Committee.
Last week, the MOC had cast doubt over the team's participation in the basketball tournament in Cyprus after key player Marko Matijevic suffered an arm injury that could have ruled him out of the tournament.
However, as reported by The Times last week, the Luxol player's rehabilitation from the injury went better than expected and the Serbian post, who qualifies for Team Malta after residing in the country for three years, returned to training with the national team.
Mark Cutajar, the MOC Director of Sport, told The Sunday Times, that Matijevic was not yet 100 per cent fit but was hopeful that he will recover in time for the start of the basketball tournament.
"Matijevic has not yet fully recovered from his injury," Cutajar said. "However, last week he reported back to training with his team-mates and he seems to be making good progress.
"We are hoping that he will not suffer any setbacks in his rehabilitation and he will be available for selection in time for the team's first match of the men's basketball competition in Nicosia."
Team Malta will be formed by 90 athletes who will compete in 11 different sport. Two years ago, in Monaco, the MOC had travelled with 61 athletes but the selection did not compete in team events on that occasion.
There were no significant changes from the provisional list issued by the MOC last week with most of the track and field athletes preserving their place in the team with Martina Xuereb the only athlete to be in doubt of making the trip to Cyprus.
Cutajar said that the 18-year-old sprinter is currently struggling with a hamstring injury and will be undergoing tests this week before a final decision will be taken whether she competes in the GSSE or not.
Meanwhile, it was confirmed that veteran Lisa Camenzuli will not be making the trip with Team Malta. Elaine Genovese and Kim Cassar will join Matthew Asciak and Daniel Ceros in the tennis team.
The contingent
Athletics: M. Bonello, R. Chouhal, J. D'Alfonso, M. Debono, K. Farrugia, A. Grech, M. Herrera, N. Portelli, C. Attard, D.Borg, G. Camilleri, C. Pace, A. Pace, A. Mangion, D. Micallef, L. Scerri, M. Sciberras, M. Xuereb, F. Xuereb, C. Walsh.
Basketball: (women) L. Sciberras, M. Desira, K. Micallef, L. Ellul, K. Agius, C. Fenech, A. Sciortino, J. Grima, R. Brincat, J. Cardona, D. Parnis, C. Grima, A. Vella. (Men) O. Said, S. Cassar, M. Naudi, K. Baldacchino, A. Bonnici, M. Mercieca, S. Schembri, D. Schembri, A. Micallef, M. Matijevic, P. Schulz.
Mountain bike: M.C. Aquilina, E. Bonello, M. Formosa.
Gymnastics: K. Caruana, N. Pace, A. Zammit, P. Caruana Turner.
Judo: K. Law, B. Law, J. Falzon, T. Apap, S. Vella, J. Camilleri, M. Bezzina.
Sailing: (Optimist) E. Fleri Soler, K. Miggiani, T. Zammit Tabona, N. Manduca. (Laser standard) B. Borg, Z. Borg, J. Rossi. (Laser radial) R. D'Amato, M. Podesta.
Shooting: W. Chetcuti, D. Bonanno, C. Farrugia, P. Vella, F. Pace, N. Attard, R. Madyson, K. Cassar, W. Vella.
Swimming: N. Cremona, T. Pace, N. Muscat, D. Mangion, M. Micallef.
Tennis: M. Asciak, D. Ceros, K. Cassar, E. Genovese.
Table tennis: S. Gerada, D. Bajada.
Beach volley: D. Gauci, P. Vella, R. Stivala.