The Executive Committee of the Malta Olympic Committee held an urgent meeting on Saturday following Thursday’s extraordinary MOC meeting which was attended by 38 national federations.

In a statement over the signature of its Director of Media, Magistrate Antonio Mizzi, the Malta Olympic Committee reiterated that it was duty bound by the Olympic Charter as “…having to preserve its autonomy and resist all pressures of any kind, including but not limited to political, legal, religious or economic pressures which may prevent it from complying with the Olympic Charter”. This has to be reflected in the way the MOC handles all its business with other local sports authorities.

The statement added: “The MOC would like to draw the public’s attention that our athletes have made Malta proud by winning an increasing number of medals over the years. The GSSE held in Malta in June 2003 netted the highest number of medals ever.”

In the light of this present impasse the MOC Executive Committee has decided not to pay the deposit as requested by the GSSE Organising Committee to take part in the forthcoming GSSE Games in Andorra. This deposit should have been paid by today according to international regulations. Notwithstanding, the MOC has requested an extension of a few days.