The Maltese contingent for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games 2006 was hosted by the Australian High Commissioner H.E. Mr Richard Palk and his wife at their official residence to wish success to the Malta team at these Games being held in Melbourne, Australia, between 15 and 26 March.
This occasion served to bring together athletes and officials before they head off to Australia on 8 March with the Basketball Women’s team, the Cycling team, the Shooters, Swimmer and MOC officials. A number of Maltese-Australian athletes are already in Australia and will be joining the Malta team at the athlete’s village.
H.E. Mr. Palk spoke about the organisation of these Games and substantial investment by the Australian Government which then was followed by a short video clip ‘United by the Moment’ to get into the spirit of these Games.
He then went on to say that the Queen’s Baton Relay which took off on 14 March 2005 from Buckingham Palace is still taking place.
This has travelled to 71 nations and will have covered more than 180,000 kilometres. It is to arrive with the Queen’s message in time for the opening ceremony on the 15th March.
The same baton that was in Malta between the 10th-12th April, last year, and seen and touched by many Maltese schoolchildren and local athletes will be the actual baton that will enter the stadium where the opening ceremony will be taking place. H.E. went on to wish the Malta team the best of luck.
Mr. Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco, President of the Malta Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Commonwealth Games Association, Malta, went on to thank the Australian High Commissioner for his hospitality, sending the team off in style. He also acknowledged that the Australian team will be taking a large haul of medals and will be regularly on the podium, but, he augured success for the Malta team which will be within reach and that Malta too will have its moment on the podium with the Maltese flag being raised to the national anthem.
He went on to say that this is the largest Maltese contingent ever participating in the Commonwealth Games.
The Maltese contingent will consist of:
Basketball Women’s team including Leonard Falzon (MBA Official), Carlo Farrugia (Coach), Santino Coppa (Head Coach), Athletes: Ms. Dawn Aquilina, Ms. Lucienne Bezzina, Ms. Antoinette Borg, Ms. Rachel Camilleri, Ms. Caroline Fenech, Ms. Josephine Grima, Ms. Kirsten Micallef, Ms. Sarah Pace, Ms. Doreen Parnis, Ms. Fiona Schembri, Ms. Sandra Schembri Wismayer, Ms. Beverlee Zammit.
Cycling team including John Zammit (President), Athletes: Jack Schiavone, Etienne Bonello, David Treacy, Nick Formosa, Ms. Stephania Magri.
Lawn Bowls led by John Zammit (Official), Ms. Marie Therese Zammit (Official) and Rex Johnson (Coach); Athletes: Joe Attard, Victor Brincat, Leonard Callus, Shaun Parnis, Alfred Vella, Francis Vella.
The Shooting team headed by Saviour Portelli (President) and Jimmy Bugeja (Coach); Athletes: Stanley Cardona, William Chetcuti, Ms. Rebecca Madyson, Rodney Micallef, Frans Pace.
Squash Team Paul Gerald Wilson (Coach) and athlete Joseph Desira.
Swimming including Istvan Kormos (Coach) and athlete Angela Galea.
Table Tennis led by Alex Anastasi (Official) and athletes Simon and Wayne Gerada.
Weightlifting including John Borg (coach) and daughter athlete Lindsay Borg.