A group of 15 local athletes left Malta for Istanbul, Turkey, on Thursday morning to participate in the European Cup 2nd Division during the coming weekend.

The group of local athletes will form part of a Combined Group of athletes coming from the Small States of Europe, the leaders of which team are Tony Chircop and Edwin Attard (President and General Secretary of the MAAA respectively.

The athletes forming the contingent, who are accompanied by Joe Gerada (an MAAA Council Member) and Leandros Calleja (coach and physio) are Carol Galea (500m), Lisa Bezzina (3,000m), Therese Mallia (4 x100m & 4 x 400m), Charlene Attard (200m & 4 x 100m), Rebecca Camilleri (Long Jump & 4 x 100m), Lara Scerri (400m & 4 x 100m & 4 x 400m), Mario Bonello (200m & 4 x 100m, 4 x 400m), Nikolai Portelli (400m & 4 x 400m) , Jeandre Mallia (100m & 4 x 100m), Rashid Chouhal (Long Jump and 4 x 100m), Karl Farrugia (4 x 100m & 4 x 400m), Jean Paul Callus (Javelin) Gerald Grech (3000m), John Buhagiar (5,000m) and Mark Herrera (1,500m).

Some athletes, including Darren Gilford, Martina Xuereb and Diane Borg could not accompany the team due to personal commitments.

On their return, Carol Galea, Mario Bonello, Rashid Chouhal, Jeandre Mallia will join Darren Gilford to depart for Almeria, in Spain to compete in the Mediterranean Games.