Malta's team announced as ITF switches venue to Estoril

The 2003 Fed Cup Europe/Africa Regional Qualifying Group Two, originally scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey between April 28 and May 3, has been switched to a new venue in Estoril, Portugal.

This decision was taken by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in view of the unstable political situation in the region due to the war in Iraq, and following the recommendations of the ITF's risk management consultants, Marsh.

The ITF have been carefully monitoring the developments in Iraq to see how it would affect ITF events in the region.

Malta's ladies' national team will take part in the Fed Cup Group Two qualifying matches in Estoril. Lisa Camenzuli, Carol Cassar Torreggiani, Steffi Pace and Sarah Wetz are the four members of the MTF's ladies' team for the Fed Cup tournament.

Academic commitments have forced Rosanne Dimech to pull out of the Maltese squad.

The participating nations in the Fed Cup Europe/Africa Regional Qualifying Group Two are Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Bosnia-Herze-govina, Botswana, Egypt, Finland, Greece, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Malta, Morocco, Norway, Portugal, Tunisia and Turkey.

For the past six months, the members of the Maltese squad have been following a rigorous training schedule laid out by national coach Dusan Janicijevic.

This intensive training course should see the players peaking for their commitments in the Fed Cup and Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE).

Indeed, this year's participation in Estoril carries particular significance for the Maltese players as it will serve as preparation for the GSSE to be held in Malta between June 2 and 7.

Over the past few days, Malta's ladies' players have also been taking part in the British Airways Marsa Open.

The Fed Cup in Estoril sets off with the captains' meeting on Sunday at noon, followed by the draw for the three pools of four teams each and one pool of five teams.

The claycourts of the Estadio National do Jaman Estoril will host the Fed Cup matches. Tretorn Z-Tour pressurised balls will be used at this tournament.

Jorge Dias, the renowned international referee who had visited Malta during the Davis Cup Competition, is in charge of the Fed Cup Group Two matches.

Regular participation

The MTF's participation in the Ladies' Fed Cup has been continuously supported by the MTF council since the local federation became a member of the ITF.

The MTF is being assisted by the Medical Tennis Association, in particular Professor Angelo Psaila, in its preparations for the forthcoming GSSE in Malta.