The Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) announced the formation of its Athletes’ Commission, which will serve for the next four-year term. The MOC Athletes’ Commission serves as the primary bridge between Malta’s active sporting community and the MOC leadership, representing athletes’ voices, safeguarding their rights, and providing structured feedback on matters of welfare, competition, and selection policy. The Commission for the period 2026–2030 was established following an official call for nominations across the Maltese sporting sector. Candidates were assessed against eligibility criteria set in accordance with IOC guidelines. The new Commission brings together six athletes representing a diverse cross-section of Maltese sport:

  • Matthew Abela — Badminton
  • Eleanor Bezzina — Shooting
  • Elliana Buhagiar — Golf
  • Aidan Buttigieg — Cycling
  • Sana Grillo — Athletics
  • Daniel Tanti Farrugia — Handball

Eleanor Bezzina and Matthew Abela both bring continuity to the group, having served on the previous Commission. Bezzina has been elected as Chair of the new Commission, with the position of Vice Chair being given to Matthew Abela. Commenting on the formation of the new Commission, Chair Eleanor Bezzina said: “The Athletes’ Commission plays a vital role in ensuring that the voices of Maltese athletes are heard at the highest level of sporting governance. What energises me most about this new setup is the breadth of sport represented around the table. That diversity of experience means we can reflect the realities faced by athletes across very different disciplines and environments, and advocate for them in a more informed and meaningful way. I look forward to working alongside my fellow Commission members to make a tangible difference for athletes in Malta over the coming four years.” In accordance with the MOC Statute, Bezzina will retain her seat on the Executive Board as a voting member — a position reserved for the athletes’ representative elected by the Athletes’ Commission and confirmed by the General Assembly. The Commission also holds two votes within the General Assembly. Welcoming the new Commission, MOC President Julian Pace Bonello remarked: “The formation of a new Athletes’ Commission is always a significant moment for the MOC. Athletes are at the heart of everything we do, and having a structured, representative body that channels their experiences and perspectives directly to our leadership is invaluable. The calibre of those who have stepped forward for this Commission is encouraging, and we are confident that their collective insight will strengthen the way we serve Maltese sport. The MOC looks forward to working closely with the new Commission and to continued collaboration with Malta’s athlete community over the coming four years.”

Athletes’ Commission Biographies

Eleanor Bezzina, is a distinguished Maltese sport shooter and two-time Olympian who represented Malta at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. A leading figure in Maltese sport, she has achieved notable success in several international competitions throughout her career. Since 2022, she has been a member of the MOC Athletes’ Commission, where she actively promotes athlete representation, education, and welfare. Through her experience, dedication, and leadership, Eleanor continues to strengthen the voice of athletes within the Olympic Movement while inspiring and mentoring the next generation of Maltese sportspeople. Her ongoing commitment and contribution to sport both on and off the field have made her a respected figure within the Maltese sporting community. Matthew Abela (Vice Chair) Matthew Abela is a professional Maltese badminton player and the first-ever athlete to represent Malta in Olympic badminton at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. He is a 10-time Maltese national champion and has also achieved success on the international BWF circuit, including a men’s doubles title and multiple medals on the circuit. Matthew has been serving on the Maltese Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission since 2022. He is excited to work with new faces, achieve new heights, and build on the work carried out in recent years while continuing to contribute to the growth of sport in Malta. Elliana Buhagiar Elliana Buhagiar, a 16-year-old accomplished junior golfer and a proud member of the Malta Women’s National Golf Team. She has represented Malta in international competitions across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, competing in both amateur and professional events. Elliana has earned a strong reputation for her dedicated training and has won multiple tournaments. In 2025, she represented Malta at the European Ladies’ Amateur Championship in Germany.   She has committed to play NCAA Division 1 golf at Jacksonville State University in the United States beginning in 2027, and proudly promotes Maltese golf on the global stage. Aidan Buttigieg Aidan Buttigieg, a professional cyclist for Polti VisitMalta, is a three time national champion on both the road bicycle, and TT discipline. Aidan represented the Malta at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and the UCI World Championships in Glasgow. Besides this, he has represented Malta across the globe, including Asian, European, and Oceania races.  Aidan has won races in Australia, wearing the national jersey, as well as showcasing the jersey in some of the grandest races in cycling. He is passionate about sport and, with his experience and knowledge, aims to further improve and develop current initiatives in a positive way. Sana Grillo Sana Grillo is 25 years old and has always been dedicated to sport. A former member of Malta’s Gymnastics National Team, she now competes with the Athletics National Team as a Pole Vault athlete. She is also a qualified Sport Psychology Practitioner, helping athletes strengthen their mindset and reach their full potential in performance. Throughout her career, Sana has proudly represented Malta in both gymnastics and athletics at international level. One of her greatest achievements in gymnastics was qualifying for and competing at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, where she finished as a reserve in two event finals. She has also won medals at the GSSE and Island Games. In pole vault, she is a four-time national champion and has earned bronze medals at the GSSE and European Team Championships Daniel Tanti Farrugia Daniel Tanti Farrugia is a handball goalkeeper who has represented Malta in numerous international EHF and IHF competitions while enjoying a successful domestic career with Luxol,, Aloysians and Kavallieri, winning multiple Malta Handball Association individual honours such as being chosen 4 times as Malta’s MVP. He also gained overseas experience playing in Italy’s Serie A2 with Messina and KeyJey Ragusa, while earlier in his career he played in Denmark. In beach handball, he has represented Malta since the national team’s inception in 2015, competing at the Mediterranean Beach Games in 2015 and 2019, as well as the European Beach Handball Championships in 2024 and EURO 2025.