The Games of the Small States of Europe in Cyprus are only five weeks away but the Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) is yet to finalise its list of athletes and facing a headache to assemble Team Malta.
The MOC yesterday briefed the media on the preparations involved for the Games between June 1 and 6. The early indications show that the official list is still not completed, particularly for athletics and swimming, both compulsory sport and where the biggest haul of medals will be at stake.
In track and field, the only two with an MQS (minimum qualifying standard) are Maltese-Australian James D'Alfonso (400m) and Giselle Camilleri (5,000m).
Athletics Malta is currently dealing with an injury crisis.
Monaco 2007 medallists Charlene Attard, Diane Borg and Martina Xuereb are all struggling for fitness along with GSSE stalwarts Carol Walsh, Mario Bonello and Rashid Chouhal.
Moreover, sprinter Darren Gilford, a silver medallist two years ago, has decided to quit the sport.
"The weather did not help us too much in track and field," MOC Director of Sport Mark Cutajar said.
"Over the past few weeks, MQS aspirations during aggregate meets were always hampered by strong winds and unfavourable conditions.
"Hopefully, things will improve and more MQSs will be achieved at next month's National Championships."
In swimming the situation is no better with only two swimmers qualified so far.
Apparently, the ASA Swimming Board has made calls for more financial assistance in the build-up to the Games but their requests went unheeded.
In Cyprus, Team Malta was banking on the exploits of Australia-based duo Ryan Gambin and Madeleine Scerri.
However, Cutajar said that Gambin has pulled out of the national team "as he is not in a good mental condition" while Scerri is slowly recovering from injury.
"Only Nicole Cremona and Nikki Muscat are sure of their place in Cyprus as some other girls are within qualifying limits," Cutajar said.
"The standard in the men's qualifying criteria is of a superior level though. There is still time but the margin from the MQS could be difficult to beat, particularly for the boys."
Meanwhile, judo coach Alfredo Monti is back in Malta to take over the national team.
The Italian has a squad of seven, including Marcon Bezzina and James Falzon, currently studying at the Bath University.
In shooting, double trap ace William Chetcuti and trap veteran Frans Pace have achieved the MQS required while Rebecca Madyson and Kate Cassar, both also based in Australia, are lined up for women's trap.
MOC approval
The other shooters who filled the top two places in selection competitions, in clay and target shooting, must wait for the MOC approval, however, before joining Team Malta for the Games.
In Cyprus, Malta will be making a debut in beach volleyball and mountain bike.
The MOC has already earmarked Daniel Gauci for beachvolley.
The Maltese-Australian will be partnered by another player to emerge from a selection process by the end of the month.
Malta will have three riders in mountain bike for races to be staged in the city of Machairas. These are: Etienne Bonello, Maurice Formosa and Marie Claire Aquilina.
The MQS in gymnastics will be rectified ahead of the Games but the sailing team has almost been finalised and the only slots still vacant are in Laser Standard.
Malta will compete in both men's and women's basketball competitions in Cyprus but there will only be two male players in table tennis - Simon Gerada, another 'Down Under' native of Maltese descent, and young Daniel Bajada.
As regards tennis events, Malta's team will be composed of Matthew Asciak, Daniel Ceross, Elaine Genovese and Kim Cassar.
Matthias Pecotic could also be considered for selection but the MOC is still monitoring his fitness.
President Lino Farrugia Sacco said that despite some difficulties in the qualifying process, the MOC is determined to take on board only those who can challenge for a medal.
"Our intentions are very clear regarding the GSSE," Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco said.
"We are going to Cyprus to compete and not just to participate. Although, the expenses incurred are high, we are committed to take all our best athletes to Cyprus.
"We know it will be difficult to reach all our objectives. Cyprus, as hosts, will be eager to show they are the strongest nation in the GSSE, not only in terms of results but also in the aspect of organisation.
"But, in the build-up to the Games we will be doing all we can to make sure that all members in our team will reach Cyprus in the best condition.
"As usual, the expectations are high. So, we must do all we can to keep our positive results in the GSSE going."
Already qualified
Athletics: J. D'Alfonso, G. Camilleri.
Basketball: Men's team; women's team.
Judo: T. Apap, S. Vella, J. Camilleri, M. Bezzina, C. Law, B. Law, J. Falzon.
Shooting: W. Chetcuti, F. Pace.
Beach volley: D. Gauci.
Sailing: N. Manduca, T. Zammit Tabona, E. Fleri Soler, K. Miggiani.
Table tennis: S. Gerada, D. Bajada.
Swimming: N. Cremona, N. Muscat.
Mountain bike: E. Bonello, M. Formosa, M. Aquilina.