Waterpolo set for GSSE debut in Monaco, bowls and sailing return

2027 GSSE to be staged in the first week of May

The Monaco Olympic Committee confirmed waterpolo as a new sport for the upcoming edition of the Games of the Small States of Europe which will be held in the Principality in 2027.

Addressing the GSSE General Assembly on Tuesday morning, Matthias Raymond, the Monaco Olympic Committee official, told delegates from the other participating countries that 15 sporting disciplines will make up the sporting programme of the 21st edition of the Small Nations Games.

These will include athletics, judo, swimming, table tennis, tennis, indoor shooting archery, basket 3×3, rugby 7s, volleyball, beach volleyball, waterpolo, artistic gymnastics, sailing, and bowls.

The introduction of waterpolo will inevitably be a major boost for Team Malta’s chances of winning gold in the inaugural edition of the sport given the Top 16 pedigree in Europe of our national team.

Another major fillip for the Maltese sporting community is the return of sailing and bowls, two disciplines that have seen Malta secure several medals in previous editions, while on the other hand, basketball 5×5 will not be held.

Meanwhile, during the meeting, the Luxembourg NOC also presented its calendar of sporting events for the 2029 edition.

Here, waterpolo will drop out of the schedule and will see the return of basketball 5×5 as well as the introduction of badminton, which is set to make its first appearance in the Games.

Another major novelty could be the introduction of track cycling in the Games which would replace mountain biking in the cycling programme. However, a final decision on track cycling is yet to be finalised.

The full list of sport for the Luxembourg Games are athletics, swimming, judo, shooting, table tennis, tennis, basketball 5×5, basket 3×3, volleyball, beach volley, badminton, cycling – road and track – artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, karate.

Meanwhile, the 2031 edition is set to be hosted by Cyprus who have a verbal agreement with their government to stage the Games.

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