Description
Water polo is one of the most popular sports in Malta.
It was already a well-contested sport by the 1920s, with Maltese clubs regularly taking part in matches against various Royal Navy teams.
Lord Plumer, then Governor of Malta, was such a fan, he wanted to enter a Maltese team for the Olympic Games in Amsterdam in 1924.
The idea was taken up by members of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, then called Amateur Swimmers Association.
Malta’s application was refused by the Dutch on the grounds that Malta was not a country but a British colony.
After a long legal battle, Malta was eventually allowed to enter the 1928 Olympics in Paris.
The Maltese beat Luxembourg 3-1 in their first ever international match but lost 16-0 to France and 8-0 to the United States.
Malta’s water polo players took part in the Olympics for the second time in 1936 in Berlin.
Currently the clubs in Malta are Barracudas in St Paul’s Bay, Birzebbuga, Exiles in Sliema, Marsascala, Neptunes in St Julians, Otters in Gozo, Sirens in St Paul’s Bay, Sliema, Ta’ Xbiex and
Valletta United.
