The Malta Amateur Athletic Association, on the wake of a highly successful season that has seen its selection performing to unsurpassed levels on the world stage, especially with the exploits of its younger elements, will this year be participating once again at this end of season International meeting for young athletes in Brno, the Czech Republic.

The acceptance of the invitation from the organisers of the European Kids Athletics Games from the capital city of Monrovia to participate in this international athletic meeting, designed specifically to motivate young promising athletes, could only come about through the sustained support of the Kunsill Malti ghall-iSport that will again prove instrumental with its financial and moral support to bring the expense down to manageable proportions.

The meeting this year is being held between 19 and 20 September and the events our athletes will be taking part in are the 60m, 150m, 300m, 800m, 1500m, High Jump, Long Jump, Ball Throw and 4 x 60m Relays.

The athletes from Malta aged 13 to 15 and consisting of eleven girls and eight boys considered among the best performers this year are the following:

Girls- Daniela Gauci Borda, Nadia Tabone and Martina Gerada, all born in 1994: Jana Pace Cocks Julie Anne. Grech, Maria Sciberras, Yasime Zammit and Tamara Vella, born in the year 1993 and Analise Vassallo, Janice Borg and Rebecca Farrugia, born in 1992.

Boys- Miguel Bugeja, Christian Luke Chetcuti, Jean Gauci and Daniel Vella all born in the year 1994, Francesco Borg and Robert Zammit in 1993 and Steve Camilleri and Jeremy Borg born 1992.

According to the rules of competition each of our athletes will be competing in the relevant group according to year of birth, which is an excellent gauge as to how our children compare with other Europeans.

In fact the team is aiming to reach the heights attained last year when no less than 10 podium finishes, including a first in the 300m girls for 15 year old girls and gold in the 4 x 60m relay for youth girls capped the overall performance.

In her age group Martina Xuereb was also voted as the athlete who achieved the most notable performance.

To date the total number of athletes entered, at 870 has already surpassed that of last year with athletes hailing from the Czech Republic with 42 teams, 14 from Slovakia, six from Lithuania, three from Bulgaria and an equal number from Croatia, while Hungary, Latvia, Germany, Slovenia, Estonia, Spain and Malta will be fielding a team each. Finland, with a strong contingent in 2006 will very likely be a late entry.

At present a total of 75 teams from 12 European nations have confirmed their participation.

The Council of the MAAA lays a lot of importance to the development of the sport in its younger members which is why each year its tries to find a competition of the right level for young athletes.

In fact for next year it has another venue to consider, thus affording a wider range of participation which will without doubtless prove to be an add incentive for children to be attracted to this Queen of Sport.

While some of the athletes taking part have already had a taste of international competition, indeed some have taken part in this event already last year, it is considered that such competition cannot but provide them with the boost for that little extra confidence in themselves to make the grade later on when the country calls on their capabilities at higher levels, as has been the case with some of their older friends. The experience to be gained, apart from the solidarity and opportunity for cultural exchanges shared with persons actually their own age, consists of educational values and sporting opportunities, that will certainly prove useful in the formation of their characters.

As the itinerary this year will take in Vienna, the group will have the opportunity to spend a day in the Austrian capital city prior to their return to Malta and after a few more days further to share this experience with their friends at school to crown this memorable summer besides flaunting the medals some will certainly add to their collection.

The team will be accompanied and will be under the supervision of Anthony Fava, MAAA Vice President in charge of Youth Development and Dr Sue Mercieca, Council Member.