'Timing equipment works perfectly'

I refer to Jesmond Dalli's contributions of December 27 and January 4.

I was not present during the last Age Group Swimming Meeting, however, I contacted the people who normally operate the timing equipment, namely Michael Borg Costanzi and Alan Bonello, to enquire about what had happened.

Both confirmed that the timing equipment functioned perfectly on that day. They explained that the reason for the delay was due to the fact that some young swimmers sometimes do not touch properly, or do not touch at all, the touch pads at the finish end, and the time is stopped by means of a manual back-up system operated by the judges.

In these cases the time is not recorded on the scoreboard and on computer automatically. It has to be adjusted manually. Unfortunately, this takes some time. Furthermore, in view of the forthcoming GSSE some volunteers were being shown how to operate the timing equipment and this might have also been the cause of some further delay.

The timing equipment was installed in 1993. Since then, the only time when it really malfunctioned was during the GSSE '93 when the system was actually installed. Where it not for the fact that the ASA had contracted an Omega technician, who installed a new system, we would have had to record all timings manually.

Prior to the European Junior Swimming Championships in July 2001, another Omega technician was commissioned by the ASA and the same timing equipment was overhauled and repaired according to his report. This was done by means of a financial support from the government.

From May 1993 to date, we are pleased to confirm that the equipment has practically always functioned properly, with the exception of one or two occasions during waterpolo matches. The reason was due to some loose contacts/corroded joints and other connections. Sometimes the digital units on the scoreboard are jammed and had to be repaired or replaced.

Mr Dalli is clearly not acquainted with the operating system. I invite him to be present in the operators room for the next swimming meet.

Unfortunately, I was neither at the Dolmen Hotel for the press conference when Raymond Hasthart gave the press conference nor received any report from the MOC concerning the pool.

But I contacted Joe Cassar, the MOC General Secretary, who categorically denied that 'some reservations' were made vis-a-vis the swimming pool by the GSSE international secretary.

I was present when the GSSE delegation visited the pool on one occasion and at no time did anybody pass any remarks regarding the pool.

On the contrary, most of the delegates congratulated us for the organisation of the European Junior Swimming Championship which was held some months prior to their visit.

I agree with Mr Dalli that swimming needs a further boost. However, I believe that progress is being recorded and youths have been encouraged to take up swimming. Our thanks go to the Swimming Promotion Unit and the major clubs.

However, we are still not satisfied as we have not achieved anything yet and believe that more could be done. But we must also be grateful to those people who have stamped down their feet and decided to start doing something. The result will show as time passes by. I have for some time witnessed the pool as quiet as a cemetery... now we are complaining about lack of space.

Mentioning the SPU, I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to apologise for the fact that due to some misunderstanding, swimmers from this section were not allowed to participate in the December age group meeting. I can assure the SPU that this will never happen again.

Robbie Ebejer is the president of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta