Joe Caruana Curran and Karl Izzo will be vying for the president’s seat at the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta as the governing body will hold its elections during the Annual General Meeting at the National Pool on Tuesday evening.
Caruana Curran is vying for a fourth term in charge of the ASA while on the other hand, Izzo, the current Malta waterpolo national team coach, is bidding to enter into the administration area and take charge of the governing body’s running.
For Tuesday’s meeting 14 clubs, hailing from waterpolo, swimming and open water swimming, will have two votes each for the election of president, as well as vice-president.
In fact, apart from the election of president, there will also three candidates vying for the berth of ASA vice-president administration and development.
Current incumbent Carlo Mifsud will be up against Randolph Cauchi.
During Tuesday’s meeting Caruana Curran will have the opportunity to address the delegates present during his report for 2022.
In the build-up to Tuesday’s elections Caruana Curran had told The Times of Malta in an exclusive interview that he was proud of the progress registered in waterpolo, swimming and artistic swimming in recent years.
Read also: Caruana Curran eyes more success as he seeks final term as ASA president.
“It is clear that during the past 12 years there has been huge progress in aquatic sport,” Caruana Curran said.
“If you look at the number of registered athletes there has been a huge increase throughout all clubs, the number of teams competing in waterpolo competitions have also gone up to 12 while swimming too has developed at an incredible rate.
“This progress is down to our decision to give huge importance to the athletes development in relation to international participation with the result that we made giant strides forward in waterpolo, swimming and artistic swimming – something which we never dreamed of.
“In waterpolo, today we are in a situation where after our historic 14th placing we have set sights on targeting a top-ten placing in future competitions – which is quite a remarkable change in mindset.
“Despite our limitations, everyone within the association was committed in working harder to lift our sport. The clubs, who are key members of our association, are investing more in their set-up bringing foreign coaches not only for their senior team but also in the grassroots sector – and that has made a huge difference.”
Read also: Karl Izzo confirms intention to contest ASA presidency elections this month
On the other hand, Izzo had told the Times of Malta, in another interview, that he is bidding to take over the berth of ASA president to try and introduce a more professional and transparent leadership.
“I am contesting for the best interest of all aquatic sports. In doing so, my aim is to introduce and sustain professional and transparent leadership along with financial sustainability with the participation and collaboration of like-minded individuals,” he said.
“I have been asked by the clubs to repeat the success achieved collectively as national waterpolo teams and to attain it at association level, where we will have the best international relations for the benefit of our youths and clubs.
“Joe Caruana Curran, the current president, has done some good work during the past 12 years but I have been asked to submit my nomination not only from Maltese clubs, who feel a change in leadership is needed but also from top officials at international governing bodies LEN and FINA who want to strengthen further their ties with several European countries.”
