The Malta Handball Association is in the process of finalising all preliminary arrangements for the third edition of the European Handball Federation Challenge Trophy to take place in Malta between December 17 and 21.

This competition will feature six national teams from countries where the sport of handball is still developing.

This year, the tournament will be played on a round robin basis with the top two teams contesting the final. Similarly, the third and fourth placed teams will play off for the bronze medal while the bottom two teams will cross swords to avoid the sixth and last spot.

The first Challenge Trophy was held in 1999 in Cyprus where the host nation ended as winners followed by Moldova. Malta placed sixth out of six countries.

Two years later in Latvia, it was the host nation once again that won the silverware while Estonia placed second. In 2001, Malta ended its commitments in seventh place ahead of Ireland.

In view of this competition, the MHA is stepping up its efforts in its bid to organise a training camp for the Maltese national team. This will probably take place in Italy or Yugoslavia but other options are also being considered.