The Maltese Olympic Committee is expecting good performances from the local athletes at the forthcoming Games for European Small States in Liechtenstein.

Addressing a meeting of officials from various disciplines who will be at the Games between 31 May and 4 June, Mark Cutajar, Director of Sport of the MOC, said Malta will possibly be taking part in all the disciplines though a final decision still has to be taken over some disciplines.

The nine disciplines to be contested in Liechtenstein are athletics, volleyball, cycling, judo, shooting, squash, table-tennis, tennis and swimming.

Cutajar said 8 May is the day when the MOC will have to send the list of the participating athletes to the organisers of the Games.

The opening ceremony is scheduled to be held on Monday 30 May at the Rheinpark Stadion in the capital, Vaduz, starting at 8pm. As all the other participating nations, Malta will also be taking part in the athletes’ march past.

The closing ceremony is scheduled for Saturday 4 June at the Lindaplatz in Schaan, starting at 8pm.

For the first time ever, there will be nine countries taking part instead of the usual eight. This is because Montenegro have become a member of the organisation and are now eligible to take part.

As to the programme, there will be three days of athletics – 1, 3 and 4 June; the cycling road race is to be held on 31 May while the time trial is scheduled for 2 June.

The judo competitions are scheduled for 31 May and 2 June, while Shooting (air rifle and air pistol) are to be held between 31 May and 3 June.

The squash competitions – teams and singles – are to be played between Monday 30 May and Friday 3 June, swimming is over four days, that is, 31 May to 3 June.

Table-tennis and tennis will be over five days – 31 May to 4 June, while beachvolley is scheduled between 31 May and 4 June.