Cyprus assignment for MTF contingent

A small contingent from the Malta Taekwondo Federation (MTF) recently visited Cyprus to take part in the Cypriot Taekwondo International Championships, held in Nicosia last month.

The MTF delegation in Cyprus was made up of president Stephen Formosa; Joseph Azzopardi, the federation's public relations officer; national coach Brian Saliba and athlete Kimberly Meli, who figured in the -58kg weight category. Josef Spiteri was scheduled to take part in the seniors' -67kg men's category but had to pull out due to an ankle injury.

The other countries represented in this competition, namely Russia, Cyprus, Greece, Israel and Nigeria, fielded their leading athletes in both male and female categories.

Although younger and with lower ranking than most of her competitors, Meli was third in the -58kg category. She lost a decisive bout to her Cypriot opponent who is ranked fifth in Europe in her category.

Meli is a member of the MOC Elite Athlete programme.

At the end of the event, Formosa, the MTF president, was invited by Phivos Christou, treasurer of the European Taekwondo Union, to present the trophies to the winners.

During their stay in Cyprus, the MTF officials met Anthanasios Pragalos, president of the ETU, to discuss Malta's possible participation in the World Taekwondo Championships in November 2009.

The members of the MTF delegation also had the opportunity to visit the Cypriot Olympic Committee headquarters in Nicosia and the new offices of the country's sports federations.

Further talks were held with members and officials of the Cypriot Olympic Committee and the Cypriot Taekwondo Federation.