Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi yesterday met Team Malta in a special meeting at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta.
It was the first time that the contingent had paid a courtesy visit on the Prime Minister of the country before travelling to its destination, this time, Monaco.
The contingent will be leaving Malta next Sunday. The Opening Ceremony of the Games is scheduled for Monday evening. The actual games start the following day.
Addressing the athletes, Dr Gonzi said it was with great pleasure that he accepted to meet the whole contingent. He augured success to all of them. He emphasised that they would all be role models in Monaco. “The whole country’s attention will be on your efforts next week. If you get the desired results, I am sure more children will take up sports which holds an important position in today’s society. This is the message to be conveyed to the Maltese people, especially to youngsters during these Games,” he said.
Dr Gonzi said it was also important for youngsters to start making more use of the existing sports facilities. “Government has spent around Lm13 on the construction of new facilities in the past 12 years. These have been built for use by Maltese athletes and upcoming sportsmen and sportswomen,” he said.
During his speech Dr Gonzi also referred to the athletes who did not make it to the contingent. “I also want to salute them. They also made huge efforts to try and get there, so it is right that they also get a mention,” he added.
The Prime Minister also made a reference to the motto of Team Malta – Every winner needs a team. “Be a team at all times – on and off the field of play. Show everyone that you are role models. Be a good example to society,” he told the athletes.
Lm20,000 donation
The Prime Minister also announced yesterday that the government will be presenting a donation of Lm20,000 to the Maltese Olympic Committee to cover part of the expenses incurred in sending the contingent to Monaco.
The sum will be presented to the MOC today by the Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Mr Tonio Fenech.
The donation is over and above the annual government grant for sport.
The Prime Minister was presented with a track suit similar to that of the contingent for the Monaco Games. It had the name Lawrence inscribed at the back.
Earlier, MOC president Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco and the Chef de Mission at the Monaco Games, Pippo Psaila, both thanked the Prime Minister for his presence among the contingent just a few days before it leaves for this commitment.
They both encouraged the athletes to do their best in the name of the country to return home with a smile on 10 June. They both emphasised that it was important for Malta to maintain the rhythm it established in the last 10 years in the winning of medals and positive results. Both said they were convinced that the Monaco results will be very encouraging.