10/06/2026
The Malta Table Tennis Association (MTTA) would like to inform its members that it made every effort to ensure that Maltese players could participate in this year's European Youth Championships in Portugal.
In March 2026, MTTA established an Advisory Board by inviting each affiliated club to nominate one representative. With the exception of one club, all clubs accepted the invitation and nominated a representative. The Advisory Board subsequently commenced its work.
Three weeks ago, the first meeting of the Advisory Board was held, with the main item on the agenda being the identification of the players considered most suitable to represent Malta at the European Youth Championships.
Following this meeting, the proposed list of players was reviewed and approved by the MTTA Executive Council. MTTA subsequently requested the Malta Olympic Committee (MOC) to register these players on the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) online registration system.
Following communication between the MOC and AIMS, MTTA was informed that the players would not be registered. The reason provided was the absence of certain safeguarding provisions within the current MTTA Statute. MTTA notes that the statute currently in force was approved by its members in February 2024 and is the same statute that was provided to the Association by the MOC itself when responsibility for the administration of MTTA was returned to its members through an elected Council following an Extraordinary General Meeting.
It is therefore difficult for MTTA to reconcile how provisions contained within this very statute are now being cited as grounds to prevent Maltese athletes from representing their country, particularly when MTTA has already committed itself to implementing any amendments and improvements considered necessary.
MTTA fully supports the strengthening of safeguarding measures and governance standards, particularly where the protection and wellbeing of minors are concerned. Through its legal representatives, MTTA informed AIMS that it is willing to cooperate fully and implement any necessary amendments to improve its safeguarding framework. At the same time, MTTA requested that the decision be reconsidered in order to avoid depriving young athletes of the opportunity to represent Malta while such amendments are being implemented.
When AIMS requested confirmation regarding POMA compliance for the nominated coaches, MTTA provided the relevant certification. Following concerns raised by AIMS regarding the composition of the delegation, namely that a female minor athlete would be accompanied by two male coaches, MTTA clarified that the athlete would also be accompanied by her parents throughout the event.
MTTA further noted that the Maltese delegation which participated in the European Youth Championships in 2025 operated under the same MTTA Statute and safeguarding framework and included the same female athlete accompanied by a male coach, without any concerns being raised at the time.
MTTA has already commenced work on updating its statute to incorporate the safeguarding and governance measures being requested. These amendments require consultation with AIMS and approval by members through an Extraordinary General Meeting. While MTTA is committed to introducing these changes as quickly as possible, it requested that Maltese players still be allowed to participate in the European Youth Championships while the necessary amendments are being finalised. Despite these clarifications and efforts, the matter remained unresolved, with MOC and AIMS maintaining their position and continuing to refuse the registration of the selected athletes for the European Youth Championships.
Furthermore, although correspondence received by MTTA refers to a willingness to meet with Association representatives, this has not reflected MTTA's experience. The Association has been requesting a meeting since October 2025. MTTA believes that a direct and constructive discussion would assist all parties in identifying the required improvements and establishing a clear path forward for the benefit of the sport and its athletes.
MTTA firmly believes that administrative and procedural matters should not prevent young Maltese athletes from representing their country in the sport they love. The Association also believes that it should be afforded the same opportunity as any other national sporting body to address governance and safeguarding matters in a constructive manner and within a reasonable timeframe.
MTTA therefore calls upon the MOC and AIMS to reconsider their position and allow the registration of the selected players so that they may compete for Malta at the European Youth Championships.
MTTA also reiterates its request for an urgent meeting with AIMS and the MOC so that this matter can be resolved collaboratively and in the best interests of Maltese table tennis and its athletes.
