Table tennis in turmoil again: Coach Mario Genovese excluded without explanation from European Youth Championships

A cloud of controversy has emerged around Malta’s participation in the European Youth Table Tennis Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic, as long-standing junior national coach Mario Genovese was excluded from the official delegation without any explanation from the Malta Olympic Committee (MOC).

Despite having coached the athletes for years and preparing them for the competition, Genovese was informed only at the airport — just two hours before departure on July 10 — that his accreditation had been cancelled days earlier on July 4. Neither he nor the Malta Table Tennis Association (MTTA) was consulted, and no official or unofficial reason has been provided to date.

“I am not in the photo with our Junior National Team after their second win in two days — not by choice, but because I was excluded without any communication, explanation, or valid reason,” said Genovese. “There was no consultation with me, and even now, I have not been given any explanation.”

In Genovese’s absence, the young athletes are being accompanied by another official who, he says, has never coached most of the team and has limited familiarity with them in international settings.

“This isn’t about personal issues with the replacement,” Genovese clarified. “It’s about doing right by the players. It’s not the way to handle such a critical competition.”

The exclusion has left only one coach present, making it impossible to properly support both the Junior and Cadet teams, especially as matches are held simultaneously — including today’s clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina and another round of fixtures tomorrow at 9:00 a.m.

A last-minute appeal by a parent to reinstate Genovese’s accreditation was also denied, raising further concerns about the MOC’s decision-making and transparency.

Despite the setback, Mario Genovese chose to travel to Ostrava at his own expense, unpaid and without official support, to stand by the young players he has mentored for years.

“We’re told the players come first, but actions speak louder than words,” he said. “I will continue supporting every hardworking athlete on this island, no matter their club, academy, or background — because they deserve better.”

The table tennis community and concerned parents are now calling on the Malta Olympic Committee for clarity and accountability, as many view this exclusion as unfair, unjust, and unexplained — with the athletes left to bear the consequences.