Basketball gold medal a great achievement says Psaila

Malta's chef-de-mission Pippo Psaila yesterday described the gold medal won by the women's basketball team on Friday night as one of the greatest feats in the GSSE Malta 2003. Santino Coppa's team re-wrote the annals of local basketball at a packed University Sports Complex after they beat favourites Cyprus to give Malta its first ever gold medal in this particular sport in ten GSSE editions.

"That gold medal in basketball ranks as one of our greatest achievements in these Games. Our players have exceeded expectations as at the start of the tournament our sights were set on a bronze medal," Psaila said.

"Coppa has proved what an exceptional coach he is. Since he took over, the team has improved immensely and credit should be given to the association for engaging such a smart person."

Psaila added that the results obtained by the Maltese speak for themselves, justifying the MOC's projections.

"The performances of our athletes have been first-class," he remarked. "Up to Friday night, we had won a medal in nine of the ten disciplines contested. Our athletes all rose to the occasion. Certainly, it was no-one's fault where success was not forthcoming... the commitment was still there.

The Maltese, Psaila added, faced the strongest competition ever in GSSE history and this is reflected in results the other countries have achieved.

"In swimming, for instance, nations like San Marino, Monaco and Andorra have brought over their best performers," he said. "It came as no surprise that these three countries were the dominant forces in the pool."

Psaila said the MOC greatly appreciates the work of its member federations, saying that without their co-operation, Malta would not have produced this inspirational performance in the Games.

"However, we will not stop here," Psaila warned. "We will try to maintain this same strategy because we must keep the cycle going.

"Our athletes have redefined their approach as they are now preparing for a life in sport, not just for one particular event. The future looks prosperous. Now, it is our duty to find ways and means to help our athletes fulfil their potential."

MOC president Lino Farrugia Sacco shared Psaila's views. The MOC, he said, cannot rest on its laurels now and should exploit this favourable moment to attract more interest.

"The high number of spectators at GSSE venues was impressive. It provides a clear indication that all the nation's focus was on these Games after all.

"We must make the most of this occasion. It is the MOC's intention to try and organise a similar manifestation for the other sport which did not feature in the GSSE," Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco said.

"Plans are still at a premature stage but if we want to attract greater numbers to sport, we must take such initiatives.

"It's impossible for us to host big-scale events, like the Mediterranean Games, so we must seek other options which would be of interest as well."

He said that the Games were successful also from an economical point-of-view as the MOC is expected to make profits when the financial reports are published within a month.

Meanwhile, William Chetcuti's Double Trap success was still echoing around yesterday.

"Despite starting the barrage behind the San Marino shooter, Chetcuti managed to stay cool and wisely worked his way to victory with the verve of a true professional," the MOC president said. "That all confirms his great talent."

Inspirational coach Coppa

Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco also spoke of the impact Coppa left on the women's basketball team.

"He has given a new dimension to the basketball team," he said. "Moreover, the expertise of someone like Coppa benefits the entire coaching set-up. It gives our coaches the opportunity to learn new training methods and skills which they had never encountered before."