In its continuous efforts to support the efforts of young athletes, the Maltese Olympic Committee announced an investment of €40,000 which will be distributed amongst a pool of young athletes who have shown promise and have already produced some notable results in their sports. The Youth Elite Scheme aims to provide opportunities to prepare, and support the most promising young athletes on a journey to becoming future medallists for Malta.  Through the Scheme, talented athletes will be given the opportunity to maximise their potential and achieve their personal best by supporting and adding value to an athlete’s current plan with their personal coach While regular, quality coaching is a key ingredient to progress, the programmes will look to ensure all athletes develop the necessary key areas for their event relating to lifestyle, preparation, performance, physical, mental, tactical and technical aspects. The pool of athletes was chosen based on their current performances and following discussions with their coaches and National Federations.  Athletes were placed into three tiers of funding– Podium, Elite and Promising. Podium athletes consist of a small pool of athletes who have already gained podium placings in international competitions and  who have achieved top European rankings in their respective  Youth categories.  Similarly, Elite athletes are athletes who have registered personal bests and national records whilst, as the name implies, the Promising category sees athletes who are showing improvement and upping the game on a regular basis. “It is our mission to be enablers towards the success of our supported athletes. It is imperative that we build a strong foundation for the future of sport in Malta, in particular for the forthcoming GSSE to be held in Malta in 2023” Paul Sultana, Director and Head of Youth Commission within the Maltese Olympic Committee.  “These athletes’ successes will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of athletes, of whom the future of sport depends on.  We look forward to reading about these athletes’ success stories in the near future” The athletes which will benefit from the Youth Elite Scheme fund are the following:- Podium Golf: Laurens Schulz Doering Table Tennis: Anthea Cutajar Sailing: Richard Schultheis Squash: Kijan Sultana Tenpin Bowling:  Sara Xuereb   Elite Athletics: Mireya Cassar, Rachela Pace, Kurt Zahra Badminton: Ksenija Simic Cycling : Matthew Galea Pirotta Gymnastics : Ella Borg, Tara Vella Clark Karate: Alexandra Gatt Sailing: Antonia Schultheis,  Saul Vassallo Shooting: Nico Sciberras Squash: Lijana Sultana Swimming: Luke Ellul Sullivan, Sasha Gatt, Andrea Mallia, Rudi Spiteri, Leah Tanti, Martina Valletta Table Tennis: Conrad Puli, James Vella Vidal Tennis : Liam Delicata Tenpin Bowling: Matthew Magro, Andrea Mallia Triathlon: Pavel Dalli, Emilia Vella Weightlifting: Tenishia Thornton   Promising Archery: Kristian Galea Athletics: Sara Bartolo, Sarah Chouhal, Alessia Cristina, Luca Farrugia, Jacob Greengrass, Sean Spiteri, Jeremy Zammit Badminton: Isaac Axisa, Lauren Azzopardi, Francesca Clark, Isaac Ellul Karate: Matthew Vella Judo: Estelle Camilleri, Kristy Cauchi Shooting: Matthias Azzopardi, Mariah Busuttil Swimming: Andre Camilleri, Emily Grech Carr Weightlifting: Rylee Borg