It is a great moment for Maltese sport while I am writing this article at the end of the 14th edition of the Liechtenstein Games.

Eight golds, 12 silver and nine bronze medals is the result of five hectic days of sport which has confirmed an impressive overall improvement in local sport, even in those disciplines where we failed to land a medal. It was the best result ever away from home.

On eight different occasions, the Malta flag was hoisted while the national anthem was being played at the various venues where the gold medals were won.

And it was only fair to see our squash boys and girls and our performers on the track in celebratory mood yesterday after their brilliant feats.

They deserved to be feted. They shared the gold medals between them and the athletics squad must have been proud to have finished as the main medals provider for the Maltese Olympic Committee.

Diane Borg became the new Queen of athletics after her very impressive performance, first on Wednesday when she won the silver medal in the 100m final, and then yesterday after claiming two gold medals in the 200m and the 4 x 100m relay, as a member of the team.

Diane is now the proud owner of three medals at these Games – the most successful athlete.

Another athlete who did well was Lisa Marie Bezzina, winner of two silver medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m. Considering that Montenegro were taking part for the first time ever and that their athlete Perunovic won both events, then it is not difficult to conclude that it could have been another two gold medals for Malta.

Bradley Hindle Deguara and Diane Desira also made themselves and Malta proud by winning two gold medals – in the teams and singles events.

Yesterday, the last day, it also resulted in a bitter disappointment for the two beachvolley girls. It was pitiful to see them in tears after their defeat against Luxembourg which cost them the bronze medal.

But after all, who expected them to do so well? Let us be straightforward. Did anyone, except the volleyball clan, ever think that they would be so close to landing a bronze medal?

Alison Borg and Gertrude Zarb should be congratulated for their great performances here. They not only confirmed that they were a competitive outfit, but were also exemplary, on and off court. The tears they shed at the end was only the result of their sheer commitment towards the game they love and out of respect to the country which they were representing.

The swimming squad must also be commended for some excellent results – two silvers and a bronze, with the two silvers being won by Andrew Chetcuti. Our men had never won a medal before and that makes our result even more commendable.

Apart from that, one cannot leave out the fact that our young swimmers have been able to register some new national records and personal bests among which was the men’s relay team’s national record in the 4 x 200 metres freestyle which was slashed by 11 seconds.

The judo squad also did reasonably well – two silvers and a bronze – considering what happened to Marcon Bezzina and Brent Law. Their injuries ruled Team Malta out of the team competition.

In tennis the expectations were not met. Our boys and girls combined some very good moments with others equally bad. The result was a silver medal in the women’s doubles and a bronze medal in the men’s doubles.

Their worst result was in the Mixed Doubles. They only played one match and lost it, but they must accept the fact that they lost it through several lost chances which they should have turned to their favour.

The table-tennis squad also had mixed fortunes. They did somewhat well in the doubles, but failed miserably in the singles events.

Something also positive at these Games was the performance of some up and coming youngsters. Nicole Gatt in athletics as well as Daniel Bajada and Jessica Pace in table-tennis and Colette Sultana in squash all produced some excellent performances. No wonder they also finished among the medal winners. Apart from their successes, they all obtained valuable and most useful experience at these Games.

As for shooting and cycling, it was perhaps not a good experience, results-wise, but considering everything, one cannot say either, that it was a completely disappointing performance. The great result by Etienne Bonello in established a new national record in

A big well done to the Maltese Olympic Committee, the athletes, the officials and everyone who contributed towards this great Maltese success.