Junior College hosts send of for students forming part of GSSE Malta Contigent

• Maltese Olympic Committee Icon Bertie Muscat launches memoirs

Junior College students taking part in the forthcoming Games of the Small States of Europe were hosted to a send off by the University of Malta Junior College and the Ministry for Education at the G F Abela Junior College in Msida earlier on yesterday morning.

Students were welcomed by College Principal Mr Paul Xuereb, University Rector Prof Alfred Vella, GSSE Organising Committee Chairman Mark Cutajar and Minister for Education and Sport Dr Clifton Grima. Present for the event was Maltese Olympic Committee President Mr Julian Pace Bonello and Mr Bertie Muscat, an icon of local sport and former member of the Maltese Olympic Committee.

College Principal Paul Xuereb and University Rector Prof Alfred Vella, both welcomed students, commending their dedication towards balancing their academic and sporting commitments and highlighting the efforts the College has made to support them.

GSSE Local Organising Committee Chairman Mark Cutajar, expressed his gratitude to the Maltese Olympic Committee President Julian Pace Bonello. His quiet involvement belies the energy and hours of voluntary work he has given towards these Games. Similarly he commended the effort put in by the Local Organising Committe who have been committed to deliver from the very first days. He reiterated the support given to athletes to prepare themselves to be the best they can be. Visualisation is an important part of their preparation, particularly the medals they aspire to wear around their necks.

“Our ambitions are big, we are convinced that as Team Malta you will deliver. I thank you, your families, coaches and federations, for supporting your journey,” remarked Mark Cutajar, LOC Chairman.

A stalwart of Maltese sport, Bertie Muscat was the driving force behind the inception of the Games of the Small States of Europe and this morning’s event also served as a launchpad for his book: Bertie Muscat, My Memoirs.

The book, edited by Maria Ciappara, is a historical account of decades of recollections and anecdotes from his years of experience as an athlete and administrator. The book was published through the support of Olympic Solidarity.

"This is an event for our country’s athletes, we will be behind you and we will celebrate with you your successes".

This is what the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Dr Clifton Grima said to the student athletes, chosen to represent our country in the Games of the Small States of Europe which will start today week .

Minister Grima spoke to the students about the importance of working hard to achieve their educational and sporting aspirations.

"We are investing in you, both academically and in sport, because we want to give you all the possible opportunities to help achieve what you set out achieve. In these games we will be behind you, behind the flag of our country, because we not only believe in your abilities, but we know that your abilities will lead you to more successes," said Minister Grima.

The Games of the Small States of Europe will take place between the 29th May and 3rd June. Entrance to competitions is free of charge. Games Schedule can be viewed on https://gssemalta2023.mt/schedule/

The XIX Games of the Small States of Europe are being supported by SportMalta, NDSF, Welbee’s Supermarket, National Lottery, MITA, General Soft Drinks, Visit Malta, European Olympic Committees, Go, Enemed, BOV, Transport Malta, Malta International Airport and The Concept Stadium.