By Duncan Mackay

Maltese Olympic Committee logoJuly 7 - Ivan Balzan has resigned as Director of Sport at the Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) after less than three months in the post, it was revealed today.


Balzan had been elected to the post in May when he replaced Mark Cutajar, who became Deputy President of the MOC. 

During his short spell, Balzan was in charge of Team Malta at the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) in Luxembourg, where they finished seventh with a total of 14 medals, two of them gold.

The former squash player blamed personal reasons for his decision to step down.

Eleanor Bezzina Team Malta GSSE Luxemborug 2013Eleanor Bezzina celebrates winning one of Malta's two gold medals in the Games of the Small States of Europe in Luxembourg in the women's air-pistol event

"Last month, Balzan had informed me that he was mulling resignation," MOC President Julian Pace Bonello told the Times of Malta today. 

"I advised him to take some time before a final decision but now he has made up his mind and has decided to resign.

"It's disappointing really as we all believed he could have done an excellent job as Director of Sport but now we must appoint a replacement."

The MOC has now opened applications to find a new Director of Sport, with a closing date of July 18.

If elections are needed, they are due to be held on July 21. 

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