Colourful opening to set Games rolling

The waiting is finally over. The tenth Games of the Small States of Europe will be officially inaugurated this evening at 6.30 at the National Stadium, Ta' Qali in a spectacular and colourful opening ceremony.

Over 1,400 athletes and officials from the eight participating countries will be taking part in the ceremony that will see International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge officially declare open the Malta Games 2003 in the presence of President of the Republic, Professor Guido De Marco, Prime Minister Dr Eddie Fenech Adami and Minister for Youth and Arts, Jesmond Mugliett.

Several distinguished guests are expected to attend this evening's opening. These include royal family members from Monaco, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg. European Olympic Committee president, Mario Pescante and Commonwealth Games Federation chairman Mike Fennel will also be at Ta' Qali this evening.

There will also be representatives from three cities bidding for the 2010 Winter Olympics - Vancouver, Salzburg and Pyongyang as well as those from Pescara, Patras and Rijeka who are vying to host the 2009 Mediterranean Games.

Malta Olympic Committee (MOC) president Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco and chef-de-mission Pippo Psaila will be leading the Maltese contingent, composed of 188 athletes and officials, in the traditional march past of the athletes.

Middle-distance runner Tanya Blake will be Malta's flag-bearer in this evening's ceremony. The English-born athlete, who holds a Maltese passport, succeeds table-tennis player Simon Gerada who had carried the Maltese flag during the 2001 San Marino Games opening.

This evening's show, costing the organisers some Lm70,000, will reach its climax when double trap shooter William Chetcuti finally lights the urn.

The Malta Games are attracting huge interest not only among the eight small states of Europe but also in several other countries across the continent. This interest is mirrored by the fact that over 300 journalists will be covering the event in Malta.

Ten disciplines will be contested at this year's Games. These are athletics, swimming, basketball, volleyball, judo, tennis, table-tennis, squash, shooting and sailing.

Unlike what happened in San Marino 2001, the actual competition kicks off before the official inauguration ceremony. Squash will be the curtain-raiser event of these Games when this morning the first two rounds from the men and women's singles competition are played at the Marsa Sports Club.

Malta, under the charge of English coach Paul Lake, is tipped among the hot favourites to strike gold in both competitions. The men's selection is composed of Michael Fiteni, Joseph Desira, Bernard Bugeja, Mark Lupi, Stephen Schranz, Jonathan Crockford and Ivan Balzan.

Dianne Desira, Theresa Camilleri, Annabelle Diamantino, Johanna Rizzo and Pat Marsh complete the women's line-up.

The MOC is eyeing maximum success in the 2003 edition not only from an organisational point-of-view but more importantly, from the results obtained by our athletes.

The MOC has set the ambitious target of finishing fourth in the overall medals' table behind leading trio of Iceland, Cyprus and Luxembourg.

To achieve this goal, the host country must improve on its best-ever performance in these Games achieved two years ago in San Marino.

In 2001, the Maltese contingent returned to our shores with an impressive haul of 35 medals - seven gold, 12 silver and 16 bronze medals.

This result increased Malta's overall tally of medals won in the nine editions held to 144 - 24 gold, 45 silver and 75 bronze.

The MOC has forked out more than Lm360,000 to ensure the best possible technical preparation for our GSSE athletes. Sparring partners were also brought over to Malta to help local athletes as they fine-tuned for the Games.

As from today, the focus will be centred on the athletes as the entire nation unites to cheer its sporting ambassadors towards medal glory.

There is no doubt that the athletes will give their all and hopefully the Maltese national anthem will echo repeatedly throughout what is set to be a memorable week of sporting bonanza.