Eurokids festival kicks off tomorrow at the University Gym

The Malta Table Tennis Association (MTTA) has been chosen to host the 2009 Eurokids Training Camp and Euro Mini Champs, starting tomorrow. Practice sessions and matches, featuring the best up-and-coming players from across Europe, will be held at the University Gym in Msida, with activities coming to a close the following Saturday.

"The association has left no stone unturned to make this a memorable event for all sports enthusiasts, the general public and obviously the table tennis community," Mario Genovese, the head coach of the Maltese squad, told a news conference yesterday. "This event has the support of the European Table Tennis Union and the International Table Tennis Federation."

Malta will be represented by Andrea Portelli in the boys' competition and Jessica Pace in the girls' category.

"This year's event has attracted the participation of 45 youngsters from Belgium, Holland, Estonia, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Italy, Spain, Moldova, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Israel," Genovese said.

Furthermore, a number of leading junior coaches are also expected to travel to Malta to monitor the progress of their young charges. Seminars and exchange workshops for the coaches will be held during the course of the Eurokids Training Camp.

The head coach for this event is Aleksey Yefremov who has trained the likes of world-renowned player Vladimir Samsonov, of Belarus, in his career.

Apart from Portelli, Malta's junior boys squad, led by Edward Baldacchino, will comprise another eight players. For her part, Pace will be under the guidance of Johanna Grech.