Two Maltese table tennis players have claimed that Maltese competitors are being pushed aside to make way for foreign pros who don’t have anything to do with Malta, in light of the ongoing Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE).

Andrew Gambina and David Pace took to social media to lament the state of affairs where investment is made for short-term gains in winning medals instead of in investing in training homegrown youths subsequently into their adulthood for future sustainable performance.

“I was recently left out of the small nation games squad with two other Maltese players and two foreigners (with no connection to Malta) getting the nod to be part of team Malta,” Gambina wrote on social media.  

“I wish nothing but luck to my friends even though my omission was not based on results but rather how close you were to certain ‘decision makers’ within the sport.”

“The foreigners representing Malta, who as I said before, have no connection to the island will be showing up for the games, pocketing a vast sum of money, and leaving thereafter, contributing 0% to Malta and the development of Maltese table tennis.”

“To those that take pride in calling themselves Maltese and wish nothing but the best for their country, the table tennis event at the small nation games is not for you. It is just a show being put on, with foreigners at the center stage, so that MOC and Sports Malta can claim how successful they are when the reality is that very little investment is being made in athletes and facilities locally.”