Twelve disciplines will be contested during the forthcoming edition of the Mediterranean Friendship Games to be held in Malta next week.
Maltese Olympic Committee President Lino Farrugia Sacco yesterday announced that the second edition of the Games will take place from the 1-3 May. These Games are being organised by the MOC as part of its celebration activities for its 80th anniversary and in collaboration with 12 affiliated sports federations who do not have a real chance of participation in international competitions.
Farrugia Sacco also announced that the Maltese flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony will be golfer Andy Borg, while the athlete and official to take the oaths will be Danica Spiteri (triathlon) and Anthony Zammit (karate) respectively.
The MOC president referred to the first edition of these Games held last MNovember in Sicily. He said the Maltese cut an excellent figure and the MOC was hoping that there will be a repeat performance this term, even if the Sicilians are reported to be coming over at full strength.
Secretary General Joseph Cassar said that the Games also aim to serve as a stepping stone for Malta and Sicily to strengthen their ties between national federations and enhance the level of sport.
Chef de Mission Marie Therese Zammit explained that the MOC will be hosting the group of around 150 Sicilians, including the team with at least 70 athletes and officials.
Disciplines involved will include the same as the last time edition: Badminton, Dancesport, Fencing, Golf, Karate, Pool, Snooker, Table Football, Triathlon and Weightlifting; in addition to Beach Volleyball and Mountain Biking. A minimum of two female and two male athletes from both the Maltese and Sicilian sides will compete.
MOC Directors Vince Scicluna and David Azzopardi, as Games organisers, are responsible for the coordination between the Sicilian Team and affiliated associations in order to ensure that all goes well.
A number of venues will host the competition programme including the Cottonera Sports Complex, Mtarfa Gym, Royal Malta Golf Club, the Naxxar Peace Band Club, Mellieha Bay, Pembroke Track, Pandora Club, Zejtun, MCAST Naxxar Gym, the Coast Road and the Topaz Hotel.
The public, families and friends are invited to support Team Malta.
The MOC president concluded that apart from the competition programme line up, a welcome and closing ceremony will also be organised. The closing ceremony will include on its programme the Dancesport competition as well as the presentation of medals.
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Maltese athletes for the tournament
Badminton: Joanne Cassar, Catherine Dimech, Kenneth Vella, David Cole.
Cycling (Mountain Bike): Etienne Bonello, Ramon Grech, Marie Claire Aquilina, Stephania Magri.
Dance Sport: Kurt Spiteri, Amanda Amaira, Joseph Bartolo, Marianne Bartolo.
Fencing: Marie Jo Scicluna, Susan Ronald, Norman Martinez, Pierre Bianchi.
Golf: Andy Borg, Nicholas Borg.
Karate: Christopher Rotin, Caroline Bugeja, Joseph Galea, Steven Bugeja.
Pool: Clint Azzopardi, Clayton Attard.
Snooker: Mario Brincat, Duncan Bezzina.
Table-Football: Joseph Mifsud, Derek Conti.
Triathlon: Donatelle Callus, Danica Spiteri, Fabio Spiteri, Keith Galea.
Beach Volley: Alison Borg Hayman, Belinda Milton, Aaron Stivala, Robert Balzan.
Weightlifting: Christian Saliba, Clint Sammut, Gordon Cachia, Shehu Hawnan.