200 athletes in Malta's contingent for FISEC Games

Local officials knew they were facing a daring challenge when accepting the organisation of the 2004 FISEC Games after Hungary had pulled out from holding the 56th edition of the festival of sports and culture for secondary school students from all over the world.

The country has already hosted the FISEC Games twice before, the latest coming in 2002 after the previous one in 1997. Two years ago proceedings went smoothly due mostly to the meticulous planning of the Malta FISEC Council.

This time, there was less time to prepare but from the look of things the expected 1,000 athletes and officials involved should again return home satisfied with the organisation.

The opening ceremony this year moves from Mosta to Mellieha where a march past in the main square will be followed by a Mass at the parish church. The biggest cheer should be reserved for Malta's contingent which has now swollen to over 200 athletes, led by 22 coaches.

'Fair Play the Winning Way' is the motto of the Games said Malta FISEC Council chairman Bro Martin Borg yesterday as he gave more details of next week's activities during a press conference.

"These Games have now reached a certain level of competition that they can no longer be dismissed as some sort of low-key event with no importance whatsoever," he said.

"The FISEC Games are fast becoming an ideal launching pad for our athletes as most of them seek to carry on with their careers and look to represent the country in other international competitions, like the GSSE.

"We've also had ex-participants from overseas, particularly France, who figured prominently on the international scene, like the Olympics.

"This does no harm to the FISEC Games. However, we also seek to see a friendly atmosphere among these young athletes and insist that sport is a perfect way to build a strong character. Indeed "Fair Play the Winning Way' is a perfect motto for the FISEC Games."

Rogge's message

The FISEC Games may have been overshadowed by the Athens Olympics that are about to start in less than a month's time. However, IOC president Jacques Rogge still found time to convey his greetings in a short message.

"I am convinced that these Games will see many great sporting feats and will bear witness, once again, to the unifying and pacific values inherent in sport," he said.

"The Olympic Movement is essentially an educational movement, and it is for this reason that we support such events."

Bro Borg said there was a 100 per cent backing from the authorities and the country's ruling bodies of sport.

The Malta Olympic Committee has also decided to support the initiative by sponsoring the trophies.

The chairman said the organising committee have done wonders to see that everything is in place in time for Monday's first competitions in football, basketball, handball, volleyball, table tennis, futsal, swimming and athletics.

"It's hard to please everyone in these occasions but I'm sure that the dynamic committee, all volunteers, will not let anyone down," Bro Borg said.

"Of course, good results are always a boost but not necessarily the most important aspect here. We have to see that all participants enjoy themselves and a spirit of friendship prevails."

Present for yesterday's press conference was Dr Louis Galea, the minister responsible for education and sport.

He said the organisers have the full backing of the government and pointed out that the FISEC Games have fallen exactly on the year marking European Education through Sport.

Government will contribute with a Lm15,000 sponsorship and by making available the various sports facilities around the country.