I was pleased to hear last Wednesday the MOC announcing what looks like a competitive contingent of 33 athletes for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, next month.

The President, Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco, and the Director of Sport, Pippo Psaila, both made it clear that it will be no holiday for any of the athletes, whether those residing locally or those hailing from Australia.

It was also good, in my opinion, to hear that 14 of the 33-strong contingent are resident in Australia. We were told officially that these were all eligible as Maltese and the MOC had undergone some pain before assuring itself that they all earned their presence in the squad because they also had to go through the MOC’s selection criteria and that means that they all had to obtain the desired Minimum Qualifying Standards.

If not, it would have been unwise on the part of the MOC to have spent a considerable amount of money just to say that they would be represented by a strong contingent.

But knowing how the MOC works, I am more than convinced that Pippo Psaila knew what he was saying when he announced that it was time for Malta to increase the number of medals and their colour, thus making it clear that he was sure there will be at least a one hundred per cent increase over the Manchester edition when Malta scooped a bronze medal through shooter William Chetcuti. And he even indicated with a certain amount of confidence that the colour of the medals to be won will be different, meaning, of course, silver of even gold.

So far, we have not yet surpassed the bronze stage of the medals at the Commonwealth Games or the Mediterranean Games. So this is going to be the first opportunity with the next Mediterranean Games still three years adrift.

It is not difficult to make predictions over Pippo Psaila's indications. William Chetcuti is already considered as a world class shooter, having placed second in the world championship in the Double Trap category. That is certainly one great chance where Malta can scoop its first silver or possible gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

I am sure that many will agree that there are several other possible medal winners in our contingent. One of them is another shooter, Rebecca Madyson, who is representing Malta in the women’s Double Trap event. She is now a registered shooter for Malta and finished sixth last year in the Commonwealth Championships in Melbourne last year.

In the table-tennis event, Simon Gerada could also spring a surprise on his day.

There are also some hopes that the Lawn Bowls team can be successful. And even Joe Desira could spring a notable surprise on his day.

However, it will not be easy for any athlete. In fact, everyone must be aware that it will be a very tough competition in the knowledge that also taking part will be the top competitors from countries such as Australia, England, Canada and India, considered among the giants in sport.

There have been some who have criticised the MOC for sending the women's basketball team to these high level games. In my opinion, it was unjust criticism. In response, I would say it would have been unjust had they not been selected to take part! Most probably, our girls will be on the losing end, it is true. But let us not forget that the team simply earned its participation by winning the bronze medal at the Promotion Cup last year, thus qualifying on its own merits as one of the only two teams hailing from Europe.

Now that the contingent has been announced, we all have to give them our encouragement and support. We all remember the glorious days in Andorra last June when the Maltese contingent returned home with a fine scoop of 38 medals that included seven gold and 13 silver. That was undoubtedly the best result ever achieved by Maltese sportsmen and women.

We must all make it clear that we can never expect such a formidable haul in the Melbourne Games. Definitely not. What will be formidable in Melbourne, will be the opponents our athletes will be facing. As already said, the level of these Games cannot be compared to that of the Games for the European Small States.

Yet, I agree with the President of the MOC who said that we must look forward and continue building on what has been achieved in the last nine years.

Our athletes have once again gone through a lot of sacrifices to earn their qualification. It is unbelievable what these athletes from a tiny country such as Malta is can achieve with a relatively small amount of money available. However, I can only commend the MOC for make the best use of the grant made available by government through the Maltese Council for Sport.

Henry Brincat

Sports Editor

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