The Malta contingent enjoyed a lot of success during their participation in the World Company Sports Games that were held in Athens in Greece.
The Maltese athletes returned home with a healthy tally of 35 medals – 13 gold, 16 silver and six bronze medals.
The Maltese contingent took part in several disciplines in athletics and beach volley and was represented by nine females and 16 male athletes.
In the track and field events, Malta won ten gold medals through Mireya Cassar (shot put category A), Jean Paul Debono (800m, 1500m, u 5000m), Rachid Chouhal (long jump and 100m), Aaron Mifsud (1500m, 5000m, 800m category C) and Matthew Croker (800m category B).
The Maltes contingent grabbed 14 silver medals through Rachid Chouhal (200m, 400m category C), Imed Ben Moussa (800m, 1500m category B), Peter Azzopardi (1500m, 5000m category D), Matthew Croker (400m category B), Matthew Xuereb (5000m category B).
In the women’s category, there were runners-up placings for Marija Cumbo (5000m category B), Charla Pia Vella (1500m, 5000m category C), Lara Maniscalco (800m category B) while the men’s 4x100m relay team, formed by Rachid Chouhal, Imed Ben Moussa, David Bezzina and Matthew Croker also won the silver medal.
In mixed beach volleyball, Jennifer Bonello and Angelo Bonello teamed up to secure the silver medal after a balanced match against France.
There were also six silver medals which were won by Mireya Cassar (javelin category A), Caroline Ciappara (1,500, 800m category C), Darren Aguis (5,000m category B) Matthew Xuereb (1,500m category B) and another from the men’s Over 40 beach volley team formed by David Caruana and Gordon Cachia.
There was also Maltese representation in the Company City Run that was held on the final day of the Games.
In the 5K road race, Malta won the gold medal through Peter Azzopardi and Charla Pia Vella while in the 10K race there was the triumph of Aaron Mifsud while Darran Agius and Matthew Xuereb won silver in their respective categories. In the team event, Malta secured the gold medal.
The Malta Employees Sports Association (MESA) is now planning to take part in more international events in various disciplines, namely athletics, football, badminton, bowling and beach volleyball in the coming months.
