Maltese Olympic Committee

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Maltese Olympic Committee Youth Athlete Support Scheme Launched

Maltese Olympic Committee Youth Athlete Support Scheme Launched

The Maltese Olympic Committee this week announced the launch of the Youth Athlete Support Scheme.

The Youth Athlete Scheme launch, which was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will see forty seven athletes, representing fourteen different sporting disciplines benefit from funding which will not only contribute towards international competition participation – where possible, but also for the use of professional services that include Physiotherapy, Nutrition, Sports Psychology and testing at the Committee’s Functional Diagnostic Laboratory.

The Scheme has seen a different format introduced this year. Athletes have been placed into different categories – the placement a result of their results, ranking, capabilities and future potential.

The Scheme is divided into four categories – Youth Elite aimed towards ahletes who are under 18 years of age and are already highly ranked on a World or European Level. Youth Development – grouping those athletes under 18 years of age who are already obtaining good results in international competitions, Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) for those under 18 athletes, who are excelling in their sport and have the potential to develop into Youth Elite athletes. A new category – Intermediate Elite, will support athletes who previously fell under the Youth Elite category but who have now reached 18 years of age but are still progressing well in their sport. An additional benefit introduced this year was support towards gym memberships. This was introduced since many athletes were hindered from travelling due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The Maltese Olympic Committee regards these athletes as the future of sport in Malta. They have been chosen based on their performances and we look at them as being contributors towards Malta’s success at the forthcoming GSSE (Games of the Small States of Europe) to be [...]

By nocmalta|September 14th, 2020|News, Uncategorized|Comments Off|

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Message to Athletes

Message to Athletes

The Maltese Olympic Committee’s Director of Sport has penned a heartfelt message to athletes in view of the current situation that the world is facing with the Covid-19 Pandemic.

To read the message just click on the download button below.

2020-Message-to-AthletesDownload

By nocmalta|April 8th, 2020|News|Comments Off|

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Team Malta’s commitments at the 2nd European Games in Minsk so far

Team Malta’s commitments at the 2nd European Games in Minsk so far

As the 2nd European Games progress in Minsk, Team Malta’s committments have seen most of the action happening over the weekend when Jeremy Saywell (Judo), Mikela Galea (Shooting) and Alexander Smyth (Cycling) took part in their respective competitions.

The start of the Games saw a number of logistical challenges that were not of benefit to the Maltese athletes. Nevertheless, they still competed with heart and determination in a field of some of the world’s best athletes, Olympians and Olympic Medallists.

Shooting

The Games, did not start well for Mikela Galea, who’s shotgun failed to arrive in time for her to practice before her scheduled competitions on Saturday and Sunday. Galea qualified for these Games on her own merit having obtained her slot in the 2018 World Championships, held in Changwong South Korea where she placed 10th. Galea competed for a qualifying place in the final on Saturday and Sunday. Galea’s inexperience and lack of training prior to competition showed against the pool of highly experienced shooters. Galea performed better on Sunday when she started getting used to the range which was very challenging. This showed when the score for entry in the final was very low at 107.

Judo

The luck of the draw was certainly not in favour of Jeremy Saywell, when he drew against Ukrainian Georgii Zantaraia, the 3rd seeded judoka at the Games and currently ranked 9th in the world. In the first seconds, Saywell had a good attack, which could have eventually ended in a score, however the huge experience of Zantaraia came in handy when Saywell stopped for 1 second, resulting in Zantaraia throwing him for Ippon. Zantaraia eventually won the European title for 2019 against Matteo Medves from Italy.

Cycling

Alexander Smyth took part [...]

By nocmalta|June 24th, 2019|News|Comments Off|

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2019 GSSE Montenegro Games Wrap Up

2019 GSSE Montenegro Games Wrap Up

The Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) came to close on Saturday 1st June with Team Malta bringing home 27 medals – six gold, 12 silver and nine Bronze.

A total of 80 athletes took part in Athletics, Basketball, Beach Volley, Judo, Shooting, Swimming, Tennis and Table Tennis. Despite the total medal tally falling short of two medals, when compared to Malta’s performance in San Marino two years ago, the colour of medals won has improved significantly – six gold compared to four and 12 silver compared to 9 in 2017.

Athletics

An improvement in this sport has been registered – this is thanks to the changes implemented in the past two years which has seen local operations strengthen and better synergies created between coaches and athletes in the various track and field disciplines. Lisa Marie Bezzina was truly the golden girl of the games having fulfilled her promise of bring gold in the 5000m and 10000m – her commitment and dedication to bring this result home has been unwavering since her return from a disappointing San Marino two years ago. Jordan Gusman, a Maltese athlete living away from our shores brought home two Golds (5000m and 10000m) and a Silver in the 1500m, which in his very own words is not his race. Positive performances were provided by Claire Azzopardi and Ian Paul Grech, both of whom brought home a silver medal in the triple jump. Meanwhile Ian Grech also brought a Bronze medal in the long jump. Damien Mizzi, a newcomer to Team Malta secured a Bronze in the 400m. A disappointing performance from Charlotte Wingfield meant that no medals were secured in the 100m and 200m, however Wingfield was just returning from [...]

By nocmalta|June 10th, 2019|News|Comments Off|

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2019 GSSE Press Conference

2019 GSSE Press Conference

The Maltese Olympic Committee cordially invites you to a Media Conference in relation to the forthcoming Games of the Small States of Europe, which will take place in Montenegro between the 27th May and 1st June.

During the press conference, members of the Maltese Olympic Committee will address those present and will provide details of the latest updates, the delegation representing Malta as well as the announcement of the Flag Bearer for the Opening Ceremony.

Date: Thursday 2nd May, 2017

Time: 11:30 hrs.

Location: Maltese Olympic Committee Head Quarters, National Swimming Pool Complex, Maria Teresa Spinelli Street, Gzira

The Media will be addressed by:

Mr. Julian Pace Bonello – President ,Maltese Olympic Committee

Mr. Ivan Balzan – Director of Sports, Maltese Olympic Committee

Mr. Paul Sultana – Director, Maltese Olympic Committee and GSSE 2019 Chef de Mission

Ms. Maria Vella-Galea – Director of Media, Maltese Olympic Committee

_________________________________________________

· In attendance will be a number of athletes forming part of Team Malta.

· Your attendance, together with any member of your media team would be greatly appreciated.

· Refreshments will be served at the end of the conference.

· Any media queries are to be directed to Ms. Maria Vella-Galea, Director of Media & Public Relations on 9981 2345 or media@nocmalta.org

By nocmalta|April 25th, 2019|Events, News|Comments Off|

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Team Malta gearing up for XXI Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast.

Team Malta gearing up for XXI Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast.

Almost all members of Team Malta have arrived on the Gold Coast and are settling into life in the XXI Commonwealth Games’ Athlete’s Village ahead of the fast approaching Commonwealth Games which kick off on Thursday 5th April.

Benefitting from an earlier arrival, to ward off jetlag symptoms, Maltese athletes have already settled into a training routing and familiarising themselves with the facilities and getting used to the general atmosphere in Australia.

“Team Malta are settling in nicely and are now enjoying the state of the art facilities that have been set up for these Games “ explained Paul Sultana, Chef de Mission of the Maltese contingent. “Malta is looking forward to be part of eleven days of world-class sporting competition. Team spirit is very high and we are positive that our athletes will be giving it their all in the coming days”.

The Official Welcome ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday 3rd April at the Athletes’ Village and will also be attended by the Prime Minister of Malta, Hon. Dr. Joseph Muscat and his Delegation, whilst the Opening Ceremony will take place in the Carrara Stadium on Wednesday 4th April and Malta’s Flag bearer will be the young wrestler Gary Giordimaina.

Team Malta will be competing in Athletics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Lawn Bowls, Shooting, Squash, Weightlifting and Wrestling.

Team Malta’s first commitments will kick off on Thursday 5th April with the following schedule:-

Squash
Men/Women’s Singles Preliminary Event

Daniel Zammit-Lewis (MLT) vs. Klaus Pragassen (SEY)

Dianne Kellas (MLT) vs. Faiza Zafar (PAK)

Colette Sultana (MLT) vs. Samantha Hennings (CAN)

Lawn Bowls

Lawn Bowls –Women’s Fours

Men’s Pairs

Preliminary

Connie Leigh Rixon/ Rebecca Rixon / Rosemary Rixon / Sharon Callus (MLT)

Malta has been drawn in Section B against England, Northern Ireland, Fiji and India.

Brendan Aquilina / Shaun Parnis (MLT)

Malta [...]

By nocmalta|April 2nd, 2018|Events, News|Comments Off|

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Maltese Olympic Committee honours 2017 GSSE Medal Winners

Maltese Olympic Committee honours 2017 GSSE Medal Winners

The Maltese Olympic Committee hosted an awards evening to honour medal winning athletes at the 2017 Games of the Small States of Europe in San Marino in June. In total, Malta’s athletes brought home twenty-nine medals – four gold, nine silver and sixteen bronze.

Attending the evening were athletes forming part of the Maltese Contingent, Maltese Olympic Committee Executive Board members, the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations Dr. Clifton Grima as well as members of the media.

GSSE Chef de Mission William Beck welcomed those present and gave a recap of Malta’s participation in the games where eighty-eight athletes took part in all twelve disciplines – Archery, Athletics, Basketball, Beach Volley, Boules (Raffa), Cycling, Judo, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis and Volleyball.

In a brief address, Hon. Dr. Grima said “We are very proud and grateful towards you since you are the people who give their 100% when representing your country. You are the persons who should feel proud and privileged whenever you are representing our country. You are the elite of Maltese sport and Malta’s the best local talent.” The Parliamentary Secretary stated that as an athlete, one has to set an example all year round to those who are younger in age, who look up to athletes as role models. Currently the Secretariat has started working on educational campaigns aiming to bring young people closer to various sport disciplines.

Prior to the presentation of bonuses to the medal winners, MOC President Julian Pace Bonello thanked athletes, families, coaches, national federations, Government, Sport Malta, sponsors and the media for supporting the Committees work. Pace Bonello pledged the commitment of the MOC towards providing athletes the best possible opportunities to develop themselves in their field and [...]

By nocmalta|August 31st, 2017|News|Comments Off|

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Team Malta arrives safely in San Marino

Team Malta arrives safely in San Marino

Team Malta left for San Marino for the forthcoming Games of the Small states of Europe which will start on Monday early this morning.

The Maltese contingent is accompanied by coaches and officials from the Maltese Olympic Committee and prior to flying out those members of the contingent who were eligible to vote were taken to Naxxar to vote. This was made possible through the cooperation between the Maltese Olympic Committee, the Electoral Commission and Air Malta.

The contingent was welcomed upon their arrival in San Marino by the Chef de Mission Mr. William Beck and the rest of the delegation which arrived yesterday. Spirits are high and are looking forward to a good week of competition.

By nocmalta|May 27th, 2017|News|Comments Off|