The final countdown - February 21, 2003

I guess you are already wondering whether I have been engulfed by the referendum syndrome. While political parties, unions and all the rest are engaged in a heated debate on the pros and cons of the European Union, the Malta Olympic Committee has another completely different countdown to think about.

The 10th edition of the Games for the Small States of Europe are only a hundred days away and the final touches to the detailed strategy are being applied. In reality, the countdown started some four years ago when the Malta Olympic Committee placed its bid to host the 2003 edition in Malta.

It was the first time in the history of the Games that a country had actually placed a bid to host the event. Cyprus were not very happy with the outcome as they were vying to land the 2003 edition since it would have helped them promote their locality as an ideal venue for training camps in view of the summer Olympic Games to be held in Athens next year.

Organising such an event is a tall order especially when considering that practically all those involved in the event work on a voluntary basis.

In the past few weeks, the headquarters of the Malta Olympic Committee have been bustling with countless meetings as various sub-committees meet to evaluate the progress being registered on various assignments related to the Games.

Athletes are currently engaged in a gruelling training schedule as they bid to establish the minimum qualifying standards to make it for the Malta team.

Meanwhile, team sports are also in the limelight as the respective coaches ponder on their final selection. The medical team is attending to athletes round the clock as injuries and strains start to take their toll.

With practically all the infrastructure in place, some federations have already held international tournaments that should serve as dress rehearsals for the actual events in June.

Table tennis, shooting and judo have successfully conducted two international tournaments this month.

Apart from the encouraging results in these competitions, the events provided the right platform for the organisers to identify any problems that need to be addressed before the actual Games start.

Officials, referees and umpires who will be on duty during the week-long event have already been briefed on the importance of their role in the Games.

Without their contribution, it would be next to impossible to host this event.

Officials have to prepare themselves psychologically since they will be performing under extra pressure in front of a passionate crowd. They have to be fair and just and at times their decisions are bound to be met with disapproval from the stands.

The medals that will be won during the Games were unveiled a fortnight ago. I could not help noticing athletes gazing at the shining medals and dreaming of their moment of glory in June.

Chances are that Maltese athletes will notch a hatful of medals come next June and projections hint that the 2003 edition will yield the greatest number of medals ever won at this event.

The scene is set and as the days roll by, the Organising Committee is ready to meet the challenges ahead. We shall all be eager to hear the statement 'let the Games begin' echo all over the venues.

National Pool

It seems that those using the National Pool at Tal-Qroqq are again encountering problems. Some have complained that the water is not being heated to the optimum temperature. Others have voiced their disgust that locals are given the boot when foreign teams book the lanes for training purposes.

The cold spell of late has not helped matters either. Swimmers need a conducive environment to practise their sport. The time is ripe for some decisions to be taken.

Some form of canopy should be erected to provide shelter for all those who make use of the pool at Tal-Qroqq, particularly in winter.

We may boast of a swimming programme but the stark reality is that less and less youngsters will be enticed to this discipline if the present environment persists.