The Queen’s Baton Relay to arrive in Malta today

The Maltese Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association of Malta, with the collaboration of the Australian High Commission, will be hosting a number of activities to welcome the arrival of the Queen’s Baton in Malta, which will take place on the 21St September at 20:20hrs. The Baton will be arriving from Gibraltar.

“We are delighted to welcome the Queen’s Baton Relay in Malta on its 388-day journey. We are even further delighted to make Queen’s Baton Relay accessible not only to sporting entities but also the general public. This visit can only help raise awareness of these Games and the role Malta plays within the Commonwealth” enthused Julian Pace Bonello, President of the Maltese Olympic Committee.

Throughout its stay the Baton will be hosted by a number of local councils and sporting entities who have organised a number of activities to showcase the Baton to their respective communities. Each community will be fielding a number of Baton bearer which include Maltese national team athletes as well as personalities which are considered stalwarts of their community.

“We are particularly grateful for the support, enthusiasm and full collaboration that the Australian High Commission has put in towards this visit. Furthermore, it was an excellent opportunity for the Maltese Olympic Committee to reach out and work even more closely with local councils” explained Mr. Joseph Cassar, Secretary General of the Maltese Olympic Committee.

Malta will be the 48th country of the 71 to be visited by the Baton.

The Commonwealth Games will be held in Gold Coast Australia in April 2018 and Malta will aim to participate with a contingent of approximately 22 athletes in Athletics, Aquatic Swimming, Cycling, Squash, Weightlifting, Shooting, Gymnastics, Wrestling and Lawn Bowls.

Malta’s participation in the Commonwealth Games dates back to 1958 in Cardiff, Wales. The Baton will make its way to Cyprus on Monday 25th September at 15.30. For a full programme of events please visit: - www.nocmalta.org