Major TV stations link up to give extensive coverage

The sporting public will have the opportunity to follow the performances of the Maltese athletes in next week's Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) after the three major local TV stations PBS, NET TV and Super One agreed to join forces and broadcast events as they happen to viewers.

This rare agreement between the three broadcasting houses was announced yesterday by Malta Olympic Committee Director of Sport Pippo Psaila during a press conference at the Tal-Qroqq headquarters.

Psaila said negotiations between the three media organisations and the MOC have been going for months and now he was glad that finally an agreement has been struck.

"I think this deal says a lot about the importance of the Games for our country," Psaila said. "I don't remember many events which have brought these three media organisations working together so closely and give such an extensive coverage. This initiative continues to strengthen our belief that the Malta Games are the ideal tool to unite the whole nation in support of our athletes.

"Bargaining on this front was no easy prospect. Obviously, each organisation wanted to protect its interest but there was a positive approach from all quarters as they wanted to broadcast the Games in a professional way with the maximum resources available."

Psaila said MOC Media Officer Pierre Cassar was the brains behind this initiative. The MOC had now given the Games' TV rights to the stations free of charge and all three have chosen a set of disciplines which they will cover, sharing the direct feeds filmed at different venues.

Andrew Psaila, chief executive at Public Broadcasting Services, said TVM and Channel 12 will give live transmissions from four different venues and cover swimming, basketball, volleyball and table-tennis.

"In 1993, we were the only station here and to cover those Games we had to purchase equipment from abroad. This time, however, we have all assistance needed from the other stations and this will certainly help us to give the best service to our viewers," he said.

NET TV will be responsible for tennis, squash and shooting and Super One judo, sailing and athletics.

"We are giving top priority to the Malta GSSE," Chris Scicluna, Head of Operations at NET TV, said.

"Next week, we are going to suspend our normal schedule. Instead, we are going to run a 10-hour programme during which live broadcasts from different venues and interviews with the protagonists on the day will be screened," he added.

Super One's Albert Marshall said: "We are honoured to form part of this joint venture. We know it is not an easy job, especially when filming a moving sport such as athletics. However, I am confident that our technical team will be up to the job."

Minister for Youth and Art Jesmond Mugliett said with the TV agreement, the three stations have responded in the right way after the chance was lost in San Marino.

"Certainly, having so much resources available will make it easier for viewers to follow the different experiences of our athletes during the Games," he said.

Mugliett said that apart from a number of heads of state, various sport ministers from Europe's small states will be here next week. He said they will be meeting on Tuesday with the main topic being 'The EU and the European Small States'.

Mediterranean Games bidders here as well

MOC president Lino Farrugia Sacco said the Malta 2003 are attracting huge interest abroad. He said officials from three cities which are bidding for the 2009 Mediterranean Games - Pescara (Italy), Rijeka (Croatia) and Patras (Greece) - will be present for the opening ceremony as well.

Also here for Monday's manifestation will be representatives from Vancouver, Pyongyang and Salzburg - all three cities looking to host the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco said IOC president Jacques Rogge will arrive on Monday afternoon a few hours before the opening ceremony at Ta' Qali.

The following day, Dr Rogge will unveil a commemorative plaque at Tal-Qroqq to mark the MOC's 75th anniversary. He will then meet Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami and President Guido De Marco, before boarding his plane in the afternoon.