On 4 April 2018, Malta will be joining over 6,600 athletes and team officials from 70 nations and territories who will converge on the Gold Coast for the twenty first edition of the Commonwealth Games.
Chef de Mission Paul Sultana announced that Team Malta will consist of 25 athletes, which meets the quota allocated to Malta by the Commonwealth Games Federation. From the eighteen sporting disciplines present at the Games, Maltese athletes will be competing in eight, namely Athletics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Lawn Bowls, Squash, Shooting, Wrestling and Weightlifting. Sultana went on to explain that following an onsite visit, he can attest to the high level of preparation that went into the venues and the athletes village which augur well for a spectacular Games.
Director of Sport Ivan Balzan described the selection process which was carried out by means of Minimum Qualifying Standards that each Federation was expected to meet in order to be considered for Games qualification. Balzan explained that he was pleased with the level of close cooperation between the MOC and Federations involved. He went on to explain that regular communication was undertaken to ensure that all parties were fully informed of the progress registered.
MOC President Julian Pace Bonello concluded the press conference by expressing his gratitude towards athletes and Federations who have shown their commitment towards these Games. The MOC is confident that the preparation put in by Maltese athletes will produce some positive results for Malta. Pace Bonello went on to encourage the general public to follow and support Team Malta through the various social media channels of the Maltese Olympic Committee.
Pace Bonello went on to announce Team Malta’s Flagbearer for the Opening Ceremony. Young wrestler Gary Giordimaina was chosen for this coveted honour, following the consistent performance given and results achieved in recent international competitions.
Head of Delegation will be Mr. Julian Pace Bonello, President of the Maltese Olympic Committee who will be accompanied by Secretary General Mr. Joseph Cassar. Chef de Mission duties will be undertaken by Mr. Paul Sultana. Other officials present to assist the contingent will be Mr. Ivan Balzan, Director of Sport, Ms. Charlene Attard, Mr. Mario Micallef and Ms. Maria Vella-Galea. Dr. Kirill Micallef Stafrace, head of the Medical Team.
The Maltese delegation will leave Malta for Australia on the 29th March and first commitments will be taken up by Gymnastics, Lawn Bowls, Squash and Weightlifting on the 5th of April.
Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Team Malta
Athletics: Andrew Cassar Torregiani, Ian Paul Grech, Charlotte Wingfield. Official: James Hillier
Cycling : David Treacy, Alexander Smyth. Official: Etienne Bonello
Gymnastics: Sana Grillo. Official: Antonina Uzinova
Lawn Bowls: Brendan Aquilina, Sharon Callus, Shaun Parnis, Connie-Leigh Rixon, Rebecca Rixon, Rosemary Rixon. Officials: Rex Johnston, Joe Saragozza
Shooting: Marlon Attard, Eleonor Bezzina, William Chetcuti, Brian Galea, Nathan Lee Xuereb. Officials: Francis Bugeja, John Mary Bugeja
Squash: Bradley Hindle, Dianne Kellas, Colette Sultana, Daniel Zammit Lewis. Official: Joe Zammit Lewis
Weightlifting: Yazmin Zammit Stevens. Official: Jesmond Caruana
Wrestling: David Galea, Gary Giordmaina, Adam Vella. Official: Jesmond Giordimaina
The Maltese Olympic Committee thanks its Official Sponsor – Emirates and Official Partners – Full Marks Sporting, Joma, Planet Physio, Saint James Hospital and Kinetika for their ongoing support.
Photo Credit: Matthew Mirabelli/Times of Malta
About the Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games have been conducted by the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) every four years (except for 1942 and 1946 due to World War II) since the first British Empire Games were held in Hamilton, Canada in 1930.
This will be the fifth time Australia has staged the Commonwealth Games following Sydney (1938), Perth (1962), Brisbane (1982) and Melbourne (2006) – making Australia the nation that has hosted the most number of Games.
Although Malta entered the Commonwealth in 1964, its first participation in the Games was at at the 1958 Games in Cardiff, Wales.
