I would like to congratulate the Malta Olympic Committee for the sterling work it is carrying out to improve Maltese sport.

Although, as you rightly point out in your leader (TMID, 31 March) Malta “can never aspire to be a top sporting nation”, I believe that if we concentrate on sport disciplines where we have talent, Malta can achieve outstanding results.

We have seen this happening in Melbourne. Malta won two medals at the Commonwealth Games for the first time in history. It is a pity that neither of them was gold, but these results should push Maltese athletes to try harder next time. I am sure that they will succeed.

I also agree with you, sir, that Malta should not refrain from “nationalising” athletes who may not live in Malta but who can represent the country because they are of Maltese descent.

We are a small nation and every bit of help counts. Bigger countries resort to every means just to have an extra athlete flying their flag, and I cannot understand why there are people in Malta who complain that the MOC does the same.

The MOC should continue its work in identifying those athletes who might be discarded by other, bigger, nations but whose Maltese blood makes it possible for them to compete for Malta.

M. Galea

Mosta