Team Malta was officially welcomed at the Athletes’ Village ahead of the start of the 20th Mediterranean Games, with the Maltese contingent taking part in a symbolic ceremony marking its arrival.
The ceremony saw Athletes’ Village Mayor Alessia Maurelli welcome the Maltese delegation and present Chef de Mission Charlene Attard with a commemorative token. The Maltese flag was then raised and the national anthem played, formally marking Team Malta’s arrival at the village.
Malta will be represented by 35 athletes competing across 14 disciplines: athletics, artistic gymnastics, badminton, cycling, karate, raffa, rowing, sailing, shooting, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, weightlifting and wrestling.
André Cassar, who will compete in skeet shooting, and badminton player Francesca Clark will carry the Maltese flag during the opening ceremony at the Iacovone Stadium.
A long Mediterranean Games history
Malta’s involvement in the Mediterranean Games dates back to the inaugural edition in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1951, when the country was represented by just three athletes.
Seventy-five years later, Malta is fielding one of its most ambitious contingents, with Maltese athletes having won a total of nine medals at the Games over the years – one gold, four silver and four bronze medals across seven different editions.
The Maltese Olympic Committee said the squad was selected in consultation with the respective national federations, with qualifying standards established to ensure that the athletes selected are prepared to compete at the highest level.
Maltese Olympic Committee President Julian Pace Bonello said the Mediterranean Games remained an important opportunity for local athletes.
“The Mediterranean Games have long served as one of the most important multi-sport stages for Malta’s athletes, offering the opportunity to compete against elite regional opposition in a Games setting.”
He added that the Games represented both a celebration of sporting culture among Mediterranean nations and a highly competitive international event.
“We are sure of the commitment and pride that Team Malta will be showing in Taranto.”
Malta opens campaign on Saturday
Team Malta will begin its competitive programme on Saturday, 22 August.
In badminton, Sam Cassar and Francesca Clark will compete in the mixed doubles qualifying rounds in Francavilla Fontana.
Meanwhile, Stefan Farrugia will begin his Raffa singles qualifying campaign in Montemesola, while cyclists Aidan Buttigieg and Andrea Mifsud will contest the Individual Time Trial on the Taranto city circuit.
At the shooting range in Torricella, André Cassar and Liam Sciberras will start their skeet qualification, facing 75 targets during the opening day.
The full Team Malta contingent includes:
Athletics: Claire Azzopardi, Dillon Cassar, Matthew Galea Soler, Jared Micallef, Luke Micallef Perconte, Graham Pellegrini and Jeremy Zammit.
Artistic Gymnastics: Philippa Busuttil.
Badminton: Sam Cassar, Francesca Clark and Martina Clark.
Cycling: Aidan Buttigieg, Bernard Galea and Andrea Mifsud.
Karate: Thyis Antonelli.
Raffa: Stefan Farrugia.
Rowing: Mark Schembri.
Sailing: Mia Busuttil, Matthew Flores, Katrina Micallef and Benjamin Vassallo.
Shooting: Eleanor Bezzina, André Cassar, Gianluca Chetcuti, William Chetcuti and Liam Sciberras.
Taekwondo: Alycia Cassar.
Tennis: Alex Degabriele, Liam Delicata and Elaine Genovese.
Triathlon: Kai Azzopardi, Danica Bonello Spiteri and Ryan Muscat.
Weightlifting: Tenishia Thornton.
Wrestling: Nico Zarb.
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