During a brief meeting with the media, the first in a series leading to the Games of Small States of Europe (GSSE), the Malta Olympic Committee yetserday announced that an agreement has been reached with three local TV stations to give live coverage of the Games to be held in Liechtenstein between 30 May and 4 June. Prior to the Games proper, TV stations will also provide information, features and latest news about the participating athletes. The MOC felt the need to give such a deserved service to the local sporting public.

In a brief ceremony, Louiselle Vassallo signed the agreement on behalf of NET TV, Jason Micallef on behlaf of ONE Productions and Michael Darmanin on behalf of MELITA.

MOC president Lino Farrugia Sacco also announced that Mark Cutajar, the Association’s Director of Sport, will be the Chef de Mission in this year’s edition of the GSSE, assisted by Vincent Scicluna and Adele Muscat.

Mr Farrugia Sacco was aware of the big challenge facing the Maltese athletes, especially now that strong Montenegro has been included to take part in the Games.

However, the MOC president did not want to make excuses because he is confident that the athletes representing Malta are good enough.

The MOC is monitoring results and performances of the prospective athletes and taking collective remedies as early as possible where required through a special committee chaired by Julian Pace Bonello.

Earlier, the Director of Sports Mark Cutajar briefed all present about the state of Maltese athletes so far. Clay Shooting, Sailing and Basketball are not included in the GSSE edition in Liechtenstein. All these disciplines won us gold medals two years ago in Cyprus.

Malta will not be taking part in the Men and Women’s indoor volleyball and a decision about Beach Volley has still to be taken. Malta will not be taking part in the men’s category of the indoor Cycling and Mountain Bike.

Other disciplines like Squash, Judo, Tennis and Table Tennis are in line but no final decision about the athletes has yet been taken.

In fact Mark Cutajar could confirm that the athletes who have already qualified for the GSSE Liechtenstein 2011 edition are swimmer Andrew Chetcuti, who is based in Dubai, together with the 4x100m Medley team of male swimmers, including Andrei and Neil Agius, Mark Sammut and the same Andrew Chetcuti.

In Athletics, Rebecca Camilleri (Long jump) and Francesca Xuereb (400 metres) have also qualified to take part.

Two other shooters, William Vella in Target Shooting (air rifle) and Eleonor Bezzina (air pistol) are also among the qualified athletes.

The others have to reach the minimum qualifying standards required and according to the MOC Director of Sports, only those will represent Malta in Liechtenstein.