The Maltese Olympic Committee is warming up for another busy year of international participation as yesterday they discussed their plans and ambitions for 2010 in a traditional meeting with the media at the start of every year.
William Chetcuti's silver medal in the 2009 Mediterranean Games in Pescara was the highlight of the sporting year. That achievement alone atoned for the modest tally of 21 medals (3 gold, 6 silver and 12 bronze) Team Malta garnered in the Games of the Small States of Europe in Cyprus in June.
The MOC is planning to have Maltese representatives in three international events this year with the focus primarily shifted on the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi between October 3 and 14.
Four years ago in Melbourne, Rebecca Madyson won a silver medal in women's trap shooting and Chetcuti returned home with a bronze in double trap.
MOC president Lino Farrugia Sacco yesterday confirmed that medal ambitions in New Delhi will again centre on the talents of Chetcuti who will spearhead Team Malta.
"We still have to finalise our team for India but again we shall be pinning our hopes on Chetcuti in double trap," Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco said.
"He was a whisker away from winning the Mediterranean Games competition last year as he continues to mature into a more complete shooter. We are hopeful that in New Delhi he will be able to prolong his list of successes on the international scene."
The MOC president shrugged off suggestions they were con-sidering to retire from the Commonwealth Games due to security fears.
"We are monitoring the situation closely but until the authorities in India or any other international sporting body issue warnings on this regard the MOC will continue with its plans," he said.
In 2010, the MOC also intends to field athletes in the Youth Olympic Games, in Singapore between August 14 and 26.
The most likely candidates to make the trip to Asian will be track and field athletes Maria Sciberras and Tamara Vella, judoka Jeremy Saywell and shooter Charlo Chircop. All four have just started to benefit from an IOC scholarship in the build-up to the inaugural Youth Games.
Among the major events in the MOC calendar this year will be the hosting of the European Olympic Committee Congress between May 27 and 29. Here, delegates from the organising committees of London 2012 and Rio 2016 will be present to give more details on preparations for the next two summer Games.
Meanwhile, the MOC is also in discussion to finalise the calendar of sport for the 2010 Mediterranean Friendship Games.
"We shall host the Friendship Games in April but plans are still at a premature stage," Farrugia Sacco said.
"We are in contact with CONI Sicilia to finalise the programme of events and the number of athletes involved. These Games are so beneficial for our sports organisations, particularly those with limited exposure on the international scene."
At the end of the media conference, Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco presented a memento to veteran journalist Henry Brincat for his contribution to local sport throughout his career.