Malta Games open with a bang

The Games of the Small States of Europe in Malta got underway yesterday in spectacular fashion at Ta' Qali's National Stadium.

Perhaps, with a slightly smaller crowd on the terraces than the organisers had anticipated, the GSSE 2003 were still ushered in with pomp, the tempo varying from Ira Losco's sweet voice while singing official theme Reaching Higher, to the loud, but calibrated, bangs of the fireworks display from the Lija experts.

A huge applause echoed around the arena when President of the Republic, Guido de Marco, declared the Games open in the presence of Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami and International Olympic Committee head Jacques Rogge.

Chef-de-mission Pippo Psaila and other MOC members were in the Malta contingent during the march past which saw the participation of most of the hundreds of athletes, officials and volunteers who will figure in the Games. The Maltese contingent was led by middle-distance runner and flag-bearer on the day Tanya Blake.

"It's an amazing feeling to be given this role," she said. "Certainly, I never imagined that I would be the one to carry the flag during this parade. It's a great honour for me personally and I am sure that I will remember this occasion for the rest of my life."

Missing from the Maltese contingent were the table-tennis players who were ordered to stay at their headquarters in Gozo to avoid weariness since they start their commitments this morning at the Victoria Sports Complex.

Several other distinguished guests attended the opening ceremony including royalties from Monaco, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein, European Olympic Committee president Mario Pescante and IAAF president Lamine Diack.

Also present were delegates from the cities of Vancouver, Pyongyang and Salzburg, who are bidding to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. They were joined by those from Pescara, Patras and Rijeka, cities eyeing to host the 2009 Mediterranean Games.

While extending his greetings to the Maltese hosts, Dr Rogge delivered a significant message to the athletes.

He said: "Remember that you are not only here to compete but you are also here to show the true values of sport. You are the role models of future athletes and I hope that you will compete with the true spirit of fair play and friendship."

Minister for Youth and the Arts Jesmond Mugliett said: "Today we are inaugurating the biggest sporting event ever staged by our country. One only has to look at the long process of preparation to organise these Games during which most of our sporting facilities were built and upgraded.

"I am sure that these Games will be followed by the whole nation throughout this week especially since all three major TV stations will broadcast the events taking place. This fills me with greater satisfaction as the aim of these Games is to bring sport closer to the people who can appreciate and experience the joy it brings about. Hopefully, everyone here will rally behind the athletes and cheer them on to make these Games a truly memorable experience."

On his part, MOC president Lino Farrugia Sacco said: "One can clearly note the progress these Games have achieved since the first edition in San Marino back in 1985. The GSSE, now in its 10th edition, grew in stature and this was thanks to the support from our different administrations, the International Olympic Committee and the European Olympic Committee.

"I congratulate all athletes selected to represent their countries because I believe that there is no bigger honour than to compete for your flag in such major events," he said.

Six former Olympians carried the Olympic flag around the stadium. These were 89-year-old waterpolo player Arthur Podesta, wrestler Jesmond Giordemaina, shooter Frans Pace, sprinter Mario Bonello, Leo Portelli, archery, and boardsailor Jean Paul Fleri Soler.

One of the highlights of the night occurred when the Olympic torch entered the stadium and was handed to GSSE tennis gold medalists Carol Cassar Torregiani and Helen Asciak. They passed the flame to Carmel Busuttil and Joe Caruana Dingli and then to Jackie Xuereb and Laurie Pace. The two former Malta judokas then sent forth shooter William Chetcuti to complete the final part of the lap.

Chetcuti shared the flame with representatives from the other seven participating GSSE countries and together they lit up the huge urn in true spectacular fashion.

Lara Gerada read the athletes' oath followed by Alex Bezzina who made the officials' vow. Losco, popular as ever, then sang 'Reaching Higher' which was repeated near the end of the programme to the delight of the appreciative crowd. Veteran Freddie Portelli also kept those present happy with his variety of songs. Another contribution came from the Voices choir.

The show reached a peak with a colourful and spectacular show by the YADA dancers, a big-scale spectacle involving hundreds of dancers who highlighted Maltese traditions along the years.

An impressive synchronised fireworks display, from the competent St Michael's Fireworks Factory of Lija, finally brought to an end the ceremony, one of the most creative and artistic performances ever held on our islands.