A contingent of 17 athletes is representing Malta at the European Youth Games of the Special Olympics being held in Turin, Italy.

The athletes are accompanied by their coaches as well as Anna Calleja, chairperson and Mario Meli, Chef de Mission.

Over 1,400 athletes from 57 nations are taking part in these Games. Also involved are about 400 coaches, 3,000 parents, 2,000 volunteers, and more than 20,000 students.

The Maltese contingent

Athletics – Sarah Caruana, Sharika Asari, Ishmael Falzon, Claudio Dalli, (Coach – Gordon Barbara)

Swimming – Maria Wetz, Charmaine Mifsud, Jonathan Borg, Mark Zammit Cutajar, (Coach - Angelique Attard)

Bocci – Amanda Baker, Yowanna Vassallo, Joseph Tanti, Justine Spiteri, (Coach - Giancarlo Tolu)

Bowling – Maria Spiteri, Angele Azzopardi, Bjorn Tabone, John Paul Fenech, Ritienne Pullicino, (Coach – Anna Farrugia)

Heads of Delegation – Anna Calleja, Mario Meli

Member, Technical Staff – Maria Zammit

The Maltese contingent on Saturday took part in the Opening Ceremony which was also attended by some distinguished personalities and popular sportsmen and sportswomen.