Youths

A major feature of the ITTF World Junior Circuit is that it has given players from the area of the world in which the tournament is being staged, the opportunity to compete in a prestigious international competition. It has opened doors.

At the Australian Junior Open, currently been staged in Geelong, one young man has seized the opportunity to compete in his first ITTF World Junior Circuit tournament but he’s not from the local area, he’s from Malta, a popular tourist destination in the Mediterranean, a long long way from the state of Victoria!

“ Korea , Japan , Sweden and Croatia are all well known table tennis countries”, said Glenn Tepper, ITTF Development Manager. “However, also competing here in Australia , thirty hours flight from his home town of Swieqi , is thirteen year old Daniel Bajada, the sole entrant from Malta .”

Training
It is a daunting task for Daniel Bajada but Malta , under the guidance of the Joe Borg Cardona, the backbone of table tennis on the island, is making major strides in the sport.

“Daniel is not yet at the stage where he is challenging the top players here, it is his first World Junior Circuit event”, explained Glenn Tepper. “However, he is National Under 13 and Under 18 champion in Malta and trains five times a week at the National Academy with head coach, Mario Genovese.”

Role Model
Forty-four year old Mario Genovese has a wealth of experience; he’s been Malta ’s top player for at least two decades, a regular participant in the World Championships he is one of the fittest sportsmen to pick up a table tennis bat.

He is a tri-athlete and has raised thousands of pounds for charity by running through the island, swimming from Malta to the nearby island of Gozo (not that near if you are swimming!) and then riding his bicycle as though preparing for the Tour de France. In Mario Genovese, Daniel Bajada has a fine role model, a gentleman, a true sportsman.

Welcome Home
The journey to Australia was long for the teenager but there is an underlying reason for the visit. “The trip to Australia is a small home coming for Daniel’s parents”, explained Glenn Tepper.

“I played and lived in Melbourne from 1977 to 1980”, explained father Leslie. “When I saw on the internet, Australia was hosting a World Junior Circuit event that was enough of an enticement to make the journey!”

Experience
It has proved a wise decision and Daniel is more than pleased to be in Geelong .

“I came here for the experience, at the training camp I practised with players from Japan, Korea and many other countries, the experience was invaluable”, said Daniel Bajada. “ Korea in the team event was incredibly tough but playing New Zealand was also tough for me”.

Motivated
Playing Koreans is a difficult task for anyone; they have an incredible depth of talent. “I hope to train hard and become a good player at world level”, continued Daniel Bajada. “I hope to go to Poland for two months training later this year”.

A determined young man and although the path was not paved with gold in Geelong he has most certainly benefited from the visit. “In the group matches for the singles, Daniel lost to Australian, Swedish and Korean players”, said Glenn Tepper. “However, I’ve no doubt gained a great deal of experience.”

Connection
A player from Malta competing in Australia may not be the norm but there is a table tennis connection between the two countries who differ incredibly in terms of land mass.

“Simon Gerada, after representing Australia at the 2000 Olympics and winning multiple Australian titles switched allegiance to Malta , which was possible owing to his dual citizenship”, explained Glenn Tepper. “Since 2001, Simon, while based in Australia , has played in the Elite Division in Sweden and Poland as well as representing Malta at Commonwealth Games, World and European Championships; in 2005 he won the gold medal for Malta in singles and doubles at the Small Nation Games in San Marino .”

Next Generation
Simon Gerada is now an experienced international player, whilst for Daniel Bajada, experience is what he needs; in Geelong he’s responding to the challenge, he’s gaining experience and most certainly he is determined to progress to greater heights.

He is Malta ’s next generation.

Extracts from ITTF web site