Malta’s build-up for the 2011 Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE), to be held in Liechtenstein from May 30-June 4, is gathering pace with the Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) yesterday holding the first in a series of news conferences to provide the latest information on the preparations of its athletes for the week-long sports festival.
The main news at yesterday’s briefing concerned the name of the official who will be responsible for the Maltese contingent in Liechtenstein. It came as no surprise when MOC president Lino Farrugia Sacco announced that Mark Cutajar, the Director of Sport, will be acting as chef-de-mission for the Games.
“After a thorough evaluation by the members of the MOC Executive Committee, it has been agreed that Mark Cutajar will be the chef-de-mission for the Liechtenstein GSSE,” Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco said.
“He will be assisted by Adele Muscat and Vince Scicluna.”
Cutajar’s nomination as MOC chef-de-mission was widely expected as he has been closely monitoring the preparations of the Maltese athletes for the past 18 months along with MOC director Julian Pace Bonello.
Cutajar declared himself pleased with the build-up of the Maltese athletes so far, noting that, unlike what happened in the months before the 2009 GSSE in Cyprus, a number of athletes have already achieved the Minimum Qualifying Standard to earn a place in Team Malta.
Track and field athletes Rebecca Camilleri (long jump) and Francesca Xuereb (400m) have already achieved the MQS along with target shooters William Vella (air rifle) and Eleanor Bezzina (air pistol).
In swimming, Team Malta will comprise male swimmers for the first time since Monaco 2007 as Andrew Chetcuti went under the qualifying time for the 50m freestyle and the 100m butterfly. He also teamed up with Neil Agius, Mark Sammut and Andrea Agius to qualify for the 4x100m Individual Medley relay.
“I’m really satisfied with how the preparations have progressed so far,” Cutajar said.
“We began to work for the Liechtenstein GSSE soon after the 2009 edition in Cyprus. With the assistance of Julian Pace Bonello, we set up a commission whose task is to gauge the preparations of our athletes. All the athletes who are eyeing a place in our team are gradually improving their performances and we are hopeful that, in the coming weeks, they will attain the required standards to earn selection.”
Cutajar also revealed that Malta will not be figuring in the indoor volleyball competitions but the MOC is still discussing with the Malta Volleyball Association over the possibility of fielding a team in the beach volley tournaments.
The MOC Director of Sport also said that Malta will not enter the men’s mountain bike events in Liechtenstein but is hopeful of fielding a team in the cycling road races.
The MOC has also been encouraging athletes in other sport like squash, judo, tennis and table tennis to use the funds allocated to them to take part in international competitions overseas in a bid to stake a claim for a place in the Maltese team for the Liechtenstein GSSE.
“It’s important to highlight the fact that, in Liechtenstein, disciplines such as clay shooting, sailing, basketball and gymnastics, where Malta won medals in Cyprus, will not be in the programme and therefore we have to make sure that we are better prepared in other disciplines,” Cutajar said.
“Furthermore, the level of competition this year will be higher as Montenegro will be making its GSSE debut. However, we are confident that our athletes can challenge for a place on the podium in several disciplines... we are geared up to put on another strong showing in these Games.”
TV agreement
The other item on yesterday’s agenda was the signing of a co-operation agreement between the MOC and a number of local TV stations.
Net TV, One TV and Melita yesterday signed a contract to provide extended coverage of the Liechtenstein Games.
“This agreement is very important for us,” Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco said.
“The Small Nations Games generate a lot of interest among the Maltese public and good coverage by television stations will certainly help to give the viewers the chance to get proper information about the results of the Maltese athletes.
“Sport has always been a useful means to unite the country in such occasions and I’m sure that the Maltese public will again be behind Team Malta in our bid to challenge for the top placings in Liechtenstein 2011.”