“The numbers are simply against them. If, for argument’s sake, one sporting star emerges for every 50 to 100 million people, a small nation like Malta—with just 500,000 residents—has a far slimmer chance of producing any.”

He said that while the likes of William Chetcuti (sport sooting), Aaron Ciantar (powerboat racing) and Tony Drago (snooker) have shone at major international events, Malta’s small size will always work against it.

“This is precisely why the Small States Games are so important. They give our athletes a chance to compete against athletes form other small nations, with all the limitations and restrictions of larger competitions such as the Olympics.”

Puli warned that the sporting leaders of small states, including Malta, are betraying the spirit of the Games, as well as their own athletes and taxpayers, by sidelining their players in favour of naturalised players with no connection to the countries they are representing.

“Gabriel is right to feel betrayed. The MOC’s decision is breaking this youth’s spirit – a spirit that our nation should be cultivating among our youth,” he said.

“The MOC is using our taxes for the benefit of those who probably don’t even pay any tax here.”

“Our tax money should be used to develop Maltese talent, and not on foreign players who are barely ever in Malta and who aren’t good enough to play for their home countries.”

He said that while Gabriel, a medical student, will likely make a good living out of his profession, table tennis is his passion.

“Passion and love for one’s nation are priceless. However, as as Oscar Wilde once said, everything has a price and nothing has value. Sadly, he has been proven right.”

“We are reducing life to money and we’re ignoring the priceless values that sport gives us.”