Joseph Desira to represent Malta in Melbourne Games
Squash was included in the Commonwealth Games for the first time in 1998 when they were held in Kuala Lumpur.
With 10 out of the top 16 world seeds competing, these games are considered to be virtually a world championship for both singles and doubles and mean a lot to the players.
The squash competition will be held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre where athletes will contest both singles (men and women) and doubles (men, women and mixed) events. Athletes from Commonwealth nations feature prominently in World Squash Federation competitions held annually around the globe. As such, the standard of competition will be world class.
Singles events will involve a knockout draw, with the best two players progressing to the gold medal match. The doubles competition involves a round-robin with successful teams qualifying for the knockout medal rounds.
A purpose-built all-glass show court will be constructed to showcase the sport for both events, with a total of five gold medals available.
Malta Squash is very proud of the fact that Joseph Desira will be representing Malta in squash for the first time. Joseph turned professional in 2003 and has represented Malta in the 2003 Malta GSSE where he was instrumental in helping the men’s team win a silver medal. He has also competed in the European Individual Games and last October formed part of the Malta team which won the bronze medal in the 2005 ESNST in Cyprus.
Joseph’s representation in Melbourne is a landmark for a sport which has given Malta so much success. Joseph’s parents hail from Zejtun and he now resides in Thomastown, Melbourne. He is currently ranked 188 in the world, 24 in Australia and number 1 in Malta.