Malta Squash has selected the players who will form part of this year’s national team for its participation in the forthcoming tournaments in Poland and in Malta.

In Poznan, Poland, Malta will be taking part in the European Nations Challenge Cup in which 16 teams from Central and Eastern Europe are expected to compete.

The Maltese women’s team, who have won this tournament before in Latvia 2007, consists of former Malta Champions Annabelle Olivieri Monroe (2008) and Theresa Camilleri (2009), a very fit Johanna Rizzo and her niece and current under-15 champion Colette Sultana. They are hoping to regain the title after last year’s absence.

The Men’s team selected includes professional Brad Hindle Deguara currently ranked number 64 in the world rankings and winner of the Malta Open this year. It also consists of former Malta Open winners, Mike Fiteni, Bernard Bugeja, and a very much improved Carl Camilleri, who has been called up for the first time in the national team.

National coach and team manager Ivan Balzan is hoping for medals in both categories which will be a good starting point for preparation for the Commonwealth Games in India next year and above all the GSSE 2011 in Liechtenstein where Squash is expected to boost the medals tally for Malta as it did in 2003.

The Maltese Men will also be taking part in the European Small Nations tournament being held at the Marsa Sports Club in mid-October and will also include Mark Lupi, Steve Schranz, James Bonello Ghio and Steve Rizzo.

The Maltese men have not won the Gold Medal in their tournament since 1997 in Hungary, but with Bradley playing at number 1, Malta’s chances seem to be very good.