Thirty three athletes will represent Malta in the fifth edition of the Mediterranean Friendship Games that will be held in Siracuse Sicily over the coming weekend.

These athletes will take part in nine different disciplines, competing with athletes from the city of Siracuse, and a Sicilian selection. This was revealed yesterday in a press conference organised by the Malta Olympic Committee.

In his address to the media, the Malta Olympic Committee President Lino Farrugia Sacco said that as usual this is an opportunity for other federations to take centre stage, when they normally have to give way for more popular sporting disciplines.

Farrugia Sacco also said that this will be a golden opportunity for federations, athletes and officials to build a healthy relation with their Sicilian counterparts. Asked whether these Friendship Games can be extended to include the participation of North African countries, he said that Tunisia was considered in the past but this never materialised. However he said that recently the Tunisian Olympic Committee enquired about the possibility of taking part in the future.

Farrugia Sacco said that although it is still to say, such an expansion would implicate higher costs, which would be a big burden on the MOC, who is already stretched with these Games as they are today.

Farrugia Sacco also announced that the Chef-de-Mission will be Tony Debono, whilst Malta’s flag bearer in Friday’s opening ceremony will be Danica Bonello Spiteri.

Other persons addressing the press conference were Malta Olympic Secretary Joe Cassar who is the mastermind behind these Games, MOC Director Mark Cutajar, and Chef-de-Mission Tony Debono.

The athletes making the trip to Sicily are the following

Badminton Stefan Salamone, Samuel Cali, Maria Borg u Fiorella Farrugia

Fencing Pierre Bianchi, Paul Borg u Andre Zahra

Equestrian Gina Curmi, Sarah Micallef, Tommy Xuereb u Lawrence Ciarlo.

Triathlon Keith Galea , Carl Attard, Danica Bonello Spiteri u Donatelle Camilleri.

Pool Miguel Falzon, Christopher Tabone, Antoine Aquilina, Christopher Mills.

Table Football Charles Aquilina, Joseph Borg Bonaci, Derek Conti, Stefan Pace.

Table Tennis Daniel Bajada u Andrew Gambina

Tenpin Bowling Justin Caruana Scicluna, Neil Sullivan, Sue Abela u Tiziana Carranante

Weightlifting Clint Grech, Matthew Muscat Inglott, Rodmar Pulis u Nicole Gatt.