The Malta Tennis Federation (MTF) yesterday announced that Tennis Europe has awarded Malta the hosting of the 2019 Annual General Meeting. This will be the third time our Islands will be organising this most important event on the annual calendar of World Tennis.
Tennis Europe (TE), comprised of 50 European member nations, is the largest regional association of the sport's governing body, the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Based in Basel, Switzerland, the organisation takes an active role in all aspects of the European game, executing tasks delegated by the ITF, and also by organising a umber of competitions and events independently from the ITF, such as European Tennis Championships.
After competing with other member nations for this award through an application process, the President of the Malta Tennis Federation, Dr David Farrugia Sacco, received confirmation that Malta had been awarded the hosting of this prestigious event.
This annual three-day event traditionally gathers presidents and top executives representing the member nations' tennis associations from all over Europe. The official proceedings for the general meeting include a first day open session during which TE and ITF Management and Board Members present a roundup of the last year's management and activity in the "world of tennis", and a second day for the AGM plenary session.
The MTF Executive is up to the challenge for the organisation of the event. Both David Farrugia Sacco and Deputy President Mark Camilleri had formed part of the MTF's executive in organising the 2005 Tennis Europe AGM in Malta.
Dr Farrugia Sacco said, "The awarding of the Tennis Europe AGM here in Malta for a third time is an honour. I am convinced that we, the executive of the MTF, will make this a memorable event for European Tennis. At the outset we will be working toward building up the resources required for the full organisation and smooth running of the event. Clearly we will be working
closely with Tennis Europe's office and management team. We will be seeking partnerships with both the
Government and other organisations in fulfilling our commitment to European Tennis thus
showing that Malta is in fact an idyllic hosting country for this type of event.
"I have no doubt that the limelight on the build-up toward the event and the event itself will benefit the game of
tennis here in Malta. No doubt there will be wide media coverage in the sporting world which will draw much attention to the game here."
He went on to comment that "the AGM will attract important personalities from the game of
tennis. Some 100 delegates would be expected to attend. The Board of Management of tennis Europe, headed by the newly elected President Mr Vladimir Dmitriev, will be present together with, as is customary, Mr David Haggerty, President of the ITF. Other personalities expected to attend are past Tennis Europe and ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti, who currently holds the position of President of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations."