In the wake of the Maltese Olympic Committee’s (MOC) recent statement, national table tennis champion Gabriel Grixti has publicly voiced serious concerns about the selection process for the upcoming Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE). Grixti’s statement once again challenges the MOC’s handling of the squad selection and highlights what he describes as a systemic disregard for Maltese-born athletes.
“I am not speaking out to create division or to harm Maltese sport,” Grixti stressed. “I am speaking up for every local athlete who has sacrificed years of training, time, and personal resources to compete at the highest level, only to be overlooked in favour of four foreign-born players who have no connection to our sporting community.”
Grixti, a three-time Maltese national champion, has criticized the MOC’s apparent dismissal of the significance of national titles. “Hearing the MOC state that being a national champion means nothing is a slap in the face to every athlete in this country who has put in the hard work, discipline, and sacrifice to earn that title. Calling yourself a national champion is a dream many young athletes aspire to achieve — to have it devalued by the Olympic committee contradicts the core Olympic values of respect, excellence, and friendship.”
Grixti blasts MOC assertions
While the MOC claims that its selection process was clear and transparent, Grixti points to contradictions. “Only one of the six selected athletes actually participated in national competitions, despite that being a stated requirement in the published criteria.” He further highlights that his exclusion was officially attributed to missing national team training sessions — yet four foreign athletes who have not been in Malta since 2023 were included in the team, despite no participation in these same sessions.
Balancing his commitment to both his medical studies and his sport, Grixti emphasised, “Although I don’t expect special treatment, I kept up with my training through the flexibility of my club. The MOC cannot claim to support student-athletes while simultaneously punishing me for prioritising my university obligations. That is pure hypocrisy.”
Grixti also broadened his criticism, noting that the issue is symptomatic of deeper, long-standing administrative failings in Maltese sport. “Let’s not lose sight of the bigger issue here. This is not just about one athlete or one team — it’s about how we treat Maltese athletes, about the standards we apply, and about the future of sport in this country.”
He has called directly on the MOC to publicly justify how the selection criteria were applied equally, arguing that their previous statement left those concerns unanswered. “This is a clear sign of discrimination against Maltese athletes,” Grixti asserted.
Concluding his statement, Grixti issued a rallying call: “In light of the overwhelming public support received in just 24 hours, it is clear that this is not just a personal issue but a national one that demands urgent attention. I call on the relevant Maltese sporting authorities to take this matter seriously and work towards a clear, transparent, and fair way forward. We deserve better. Our athletes deserve better. Malta deserves better.”
Sports Editor
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