Joseph Tanti, 21, will be representing Malta in the first ever world handball academy in Denmark between August and May 2004.

The 10-month long scholarship course is being organised by Danish handball clubs Aarhus GF and SK Aarhus in collaboration with the Denmark Handball Association.

Tanti, a physical education teacher by profession, has been playing handball for the past eight years and enjoyed different spells with Spimcoba, CFK and University, with whom he played up to last season. In fact, in 2000 and 2001 he helped his side win the KO competition.

Last season, Tanti played 17 games for University and managed a creditable 30 goals. So far, he has played 16 times for the national team having made his debut in 1999 in Cyprus. Previously he also formed part of the FISEC side in Malta (1997) and in the Canary Islands a year later.

One of Tanti's main ambitions is to become national coach as he believes that handball in Malta is on the right track. All those involved, he said, are united as one big family working towards a common aim - that of promoting the game.

Tanti seriously believes that his stay in Denmark should provide him with a wealth of experience as there will be ex-international players delivering lectures during the course. He will also be given the opportunity to play with a Danish club.

Tanti is eagerly looking forward to represent Malta during the third edition of the EHF Challenge Trophy which will be held here in December.

Tanti will become Malta's fourth player to try his luck abroad following Chris Galea's two-year spell in Holland as well as Alec Invernizzi and Jacques Friggieri who are still plying their trade in Italy and France respectively.