MOC president names contingent leaders; more Maltese residing abroad to represent the island

Athletes’ preparations for the Games of the European Small States in Cyprus and the Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy next summer, are in full swing, the Maltese Olympic Committee said yesterday.

Addressing a news conference a day after the election of Mark Cutajar as the new MOC Director of Sport, President Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco said this will be a very hectic year for Maltese athletes.

He said everyone was now convinced that a change in sporting culture experienced in the last 16 years has left its desired effect. “Today, our athletes take part to compete and win and not just for the sake of taking part. We have made a big leap forward since the facilities were made available in 1993 for the first Games’ edition in Malta,” he said.

He described the Games for European Small States as a stepping stone to success in the bigger events. “That is what has happened over the past few years. We started reaping success in the Small States Games which led to medals at the more illustrious Mediterranean Games and Commonwealth Games, going close also to getting an Olympic medal,” he added.

Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco then announced the names of the contingent leaders in both editions. For the Pescara Games, it will be general secretary Joe Cassar who will be the Chef de Mission, assisted by deputy president Julian Pace Bonello. In Cyprus, the Chef de Mission will be director Vince Scicluna, assisted by directors Mark Cutajar and Adele Muscat.

For both editions of the Games, the athetes are not yet known, although a few have already qualified by obtaining the Minimum Qualifying Standards. For the Pescara event one thing is ascertained: those athletes who obtain a gold medal in Cyprus will automatically qualify to take part.

Farrugia Sacco said funds for this year are somewhat less than four years ago. “Although the difference is minimal, the expenses have been on the increase and quite significantly. For example, it will be 140 euros per person per night in Cyprus, while it was just 105 two years ago in Monaco. One good thing is that, in all probability, at the Pescara Games, accommodation will be in the hands of the Organising Committee and that will certainly facilitate things,” he said.

It was also revealed that the MOC is also making efforts to bring over some ‘foreign’ Maltese athletes, who are eligible to represent Malta in these Games. Their names, however, have not yet been divulged to the Press. He added: “What I can say is that those we are in contact with are very valid and I am sure they will make us proud. Among them are two big names.”

The MOC president again made it clear that these ‘foreign’ Maltese athletes will not be taking the place of Maltese athletes. “I repeat: all Maltese athletes who obtain the MQS in their respective sport, will be taking part in these Games. However, we cannot exclude Maltese residing abroad and who are eligible, from taking part. Since they are Maltese, they also have the right to represent the country,” he said.

Farrugia Sacco added that in the next few weeks, the MOC might have a clear indication as to which sport will qualify to take part in the Games making it evident that there are still doubts as to whether some team sports will qualify (for the Cyprus Games).

He also reiterated that a fourth place in Cyprus remains the target of the Maltese Olympic Committee, even if admitting that things can go wrong.

He thanked God for providing talented athletes, their families, the federations and all those involved for keeping Malta’s name high in sport.

Farrugia Sacco also named Mr Robert Arrigo MP and Norman Hamilton as Chancellor of the Hall of Fame and Organiser of the MOC’s Sports Awards night as from this year.

Both said they were honoured to have been given such a post and hoped to be successful in this regard.

Tony Chircop will be responsible for the selection of winners for the Awards Night. He said that he felt certain criteria should be introduced to make this event a sort of incentive for athletes to make bolder efforts to be successful.

Addressing the press for the first time, Mark Cutajar said that for him personally, it was a very important post. “Sport has always been and will remain an essential part of my life. I promise the federations that there will be consultation before decisions are taken, but they have to realise that I will have to take the decisions, after all. As promised, I will be setting up a Technical Commission consisting of people of experience. We have to work on certain criteria to make it work efficiently. And in summer, we have to start consultations and discussions on the future commitments of Maltese sport, that is, the Commonwealth Games in India next year, the 2011 Games for the Small States of Europe in Liechtenstein and the London Olympics in 2012,” he added.

Tony Chircop, Julian Pace Bonello, Vince Scicluna and Ms Adele Muscat all spoke about their new assignments for these Games and Awards, adding that they would be doing their best to be successful.