Birgu will take part in tomorrow morning’s Regatta despite expressing serious concerns over the officials and organisers involved in the event.
In a statement, the club said that after extensive discussions and meetings with supporters, a decision was taken to participate in what it described as a “farce in two acts”.
Birgu said the decision to race was taken out of respect towards their city, their members and supporters, the club itself, and the rowers who have spent months preparing for the event.
The club, however, once again made it clear that it has no confidence in Chief Judge Dr Jean Paul Sammut, nor in the chairman of the government-appointed organising committee, Kevin Borg, following the controversy surrounding the disqualification of their medals race boat.
Birgu said that, to this day, they still do not know which rule of the traditional Regatta they were deemed to have breached after a judge’s boat lent a screwdriver to one of their crews. The club argued that those involved still fail to understand what it means to disqualify a boat for no valid reason after months of training, preparation and investment.
The club also said it has no confidence in association president Franco Scicluna, alleging that together with Dr Sammut and Borg he signed an email to AIMS, Malta’s Authority for Integrity in Sport, to report the club and members of its committee after they voiced their anger over what had happened.
Birgu described that move as a disgraceful gesture which, in its view, goes against the spirit of volunteering and the work carried out selflessly by the committee and those who represent the people of Birgu.
Despite their anger, Birgu confirmed that they will still participate in the Regatta, insisting that the decision was taken out of respect for the club, its supporters and its athletes.
