Malta’s squad for the forthcoming Games for European Small Nations in Monaco is expected to be announced by the Malta Olympic Committee early this afternoon during a news conference at their premises at Tal-Qroqq.

The 12th edition of the Games will see Monaco staging them for the second time. The first one was way back in 1987 where Malta won its first ever gold medal in these Games thanks to Helen Asciak and Carol Curmi – they won the women’s tennis doubles event.

Eleven disciplines are being contested at the Monaco Games which are being held between 4 and 9 June. These are athletics, basketball, gymnastics, judo, swimming, bowls, tennis, table-tennis, shooting (rifle), sailing and volleyball.

Malta is taking part in athletics, gymnastics, judo, swimming, bowls, tennis, table-tennis and sailing.

Pippo Psaila, the MOC Director of Sport and the Maltese contingent’s Chef de Mission in Monaco, is expected to name a 60-plus strong squad for the Monaco Games.

The Maltese group leaves on 3 June. The Opening Ceremony is to be held in the Monaco Harbour on Monday 4 June with the competitions then being held between 5 and 9 June when the closing ceremony is also expected to be held, this time, however, on Palace Square. The group will be back home on 10 June.