Brilliant sunshine and a cloudless blue sky greeted the Maltese contingent yesterday in Monaco as it arrived to take part in this week's Games for European Small Nations.
In contrast, earlier in the morning, the contingent left Malta International Airport under a heavy shower which, however, did not dampen the enthusiasm of the athletes and the officials accompanying them.
At Nice airport, the contingent was met by Chef de Mission Pippo Psaila who told me that he is convinced Malta can better the quality of the medals won in Andorra two years ago, hinting at perhaps a bigger haul.
The contingent was driven from Nice airport to the Monaco Harbour quay where, after some delay, they boarded the ship MSC Melody, where all the eight contingents will be accommodated during the week.
Later, after some rest, the athletes started their final preparations, including some training sessions.
All is well among all the members of the contingent and the athletes are looking forward enthusiastically towards their participation in this edition in the hope they will be able to emulate the results achieved in Andorra two years ago.
The Maltese contingent, led by the President of the Maltese Olympic Committee, Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco, and the MOC general secretary Joe Cassar, looks almost similar to that of Andorra
In Andorra, Malta paraded 60 athletes and 19 officials. The major difference this time is that we are not taking part in all the 11 disciplines being contested.
Malta is not taking part in basketball and volleyball (including beach volley) as well as shooting (pistol and rifle). Quite unfortunately, the Trap, Double Trap and Skeet events this time are not part of the programme of the Monaco Games.
The contingent includes 18 athletes (athletics), two from bocci, seven gymnasts, six judokas, nine sailors, six swimmers, four table-tennis players and five tennis players.
Included among the tennis players is Malta champion Matthew Asciak who will be seeking to emulate his mother Helen. It is to be said that in the second edition of the Games, held in Monaco in 1987, Helen Asciak, together with Carol Curmi, produced an excellent performance to win the women's doubles event in tennis, and therefore the first ever gold medal at these Games for Malta.
Before leaving for Monaco, Pippo Psaila, the MOC Director of Sport and Chef de Mission, reiterated his prediction that Malta will possibly be getting a similar result to that obtained in Andorra, adding that it might even be better. In Andorra, Malta had a 38-medal haul, seven of which were gold, 13 silver and 18 bronze.
He and Farrugia Sacco are convinced Malta will be returning home satisfied with a very good haul of medals.