The Malta Table Tennis Association after having re-organised its Youth Development Programme by creating Table Tennis Nurseries backed up with qualified coaches, is now looking a step forward by exposing the top talented young Maltese players to the highly competitive International scene.

Last April a group of young athletes under the guidance of David Pace, Head of Youth Development, successfully participated in a training camp at Polisportivo Sporting Club Sicily.

Last month Daniel Bajada, who was on holiday with his parents in Australia, took part in the Australian Junior Pro Open held in Geelong. He also attended various training camps under the guidance of Simon Gerada who at this time of the year is in Australia.

David Pace commented that although Daniel was fully backed by the association it was also due to the positive support from Daniel’s parents that participation was guaranteed.

Another two promising youngsters, Stephan Grech and Daniel Vella, travelled to Hungary together with David to compete in this year’s edition of the FISEC Games. David said that the two youngsters faced top Junior competitors from France, Spain, Holland, Portugal and Hungary.

In the teams event the Maltese succeeded in obtaining fourth place after narrowly losing the Bronze Medal against Spain by 3-2.

Pace commented that Daniel and Stephan also played in the Singles, doubles and Mixed Doubles events placing fourth from nine in the doubles and missing the bronze once again against Spain in the mixed doubles. Pace says the Table Tennis Centres should carry on with their excellent work to produce more players and consequently have a wider choice of young players having different styles of play that would definitely raise the level of table tennis in Malta.