Most of Malta’s contingent for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne starting next Wednesday, left Malta yesterday. The only exception were swimmer Angela Galea and her coach Istvan Kormos who will be departing tomorrow.

It consisted 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, Pippo Psaila, who is also Chef de Mission, left Malta on Tuesday to finalise preparations for the arrival of the contingent in Melbourne.

Malta is taking part with its largest contingent ever in these Games – 33 athletes.

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.

The following is the list of athletes representing Malta in Melbourne:

Basketball (women’s team): Caroline Fenech, Kirsten Micallef, Doreen Parnis, S. Schembri Wismayer, Bever Lee Zammit, Dawn Aquilina, Antoinette Borg, Lucienne Bezzina, Fiona Schembri, Josephine Grima, Sara Pace, Rachel Camilleri. Official Leonard Falzon. Coaches: Santino Coppa and Carlo Farrugia.

Cycling (time trials, road race): Nick Formosa, David Treacey, Stephania Magri, Jack Schiavone, Etienne Bonello. Official John Zammit

Lawn Bowls (singles, doubles and triples): Joe Attard, Leonard Callus, Shaun J. Parnis, Victor A. Brincat, Alfred J. Vella, Francis M. Vella. Official Marie Therese Zammit

Shooting (target, trap and double trap): William Chetcuti, Rodney Micallef, Frans Pace, Stanley Cardona, Rebecca Madyson. Official Saviour Portelli

Squash (singles men): Joe Desira. Official Paul Gerlad Wilson.

Swimming (50m butterfly, 100m butterfly, 200m butterfly): Angela Galea. Official Istvan Kormos.

Table-Tennis: (singles/doubles men): Simon Gerada, Wayne Gerada. Official Alex Anastasi

Weightlifting (75kg women): Lindsay Borg. Official Sevdalin Marinov.

(see also opposite page)