Malta’s contingent for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne starting next Wednesday, will be leaving Malta today.

However, it will consist of the athletes and officials resident in Malta. On arrival in Melbourne, they will join the other members of the contingent, all of them residing in Australia.

The Director of Sport of the MOC, who is also Chef de Mission, left Malta yesterday to finalise preparations for the arrival of the contingent in Melbourne.

Malta is taking part with its largest contingent ever in these Games.

It is entering athletes in the following disciplines: Basketball (women), Cycling, Lawn Bowls, Shooting, Squash, Swimming, Table-Tennis, Weightlifting.

Shooter William Chetcuti will be Malta’s flagbearer at the Opening Ceremony next Wednesday. He had won a bronze medal in the Double Trap competition at the last Games held in Manchester, England in 2002.