The European Week of Sport will be celebrated between the 23^rd and 30^th September 2023. SportMalta, the National Coordinator of this initiative, is inviting all government, parastatal, and private workplaces to join this celebration and organize healthy lifestyle activities.

The workplace can use this event as a team building activity.

Being active is beneficial to reduce serious health issues, increased by a sedentary lifestyle. Simple moving activities on the place of work will lead to reduction of stress and enhance productivity and cohesion.

Some activities that can be implemented at the workplace are:

• changing the way how to communicate, such as instead of sending an email, walking to your colleague’s desk
• choosing the stairs instead of lift
• working while standing up
• going for short walks during break
• parking away from entrance
• walking around when on the phone

SportMalta is inviting all interested parties that would like to embark on such an initiative to contact us on eventssm@sportmalta.org.mt

Join the Movement and #BeActive

The role of sports for the holistic formation of the child has been widely documented. It has been scientifically affirmed that sport is an important agent for children to lead a healthy lifestyle.

SportMalta’s mission of promoting and developing sport for a healthy, inclusive, and successful Malta, makes it the perfect fit for the role of the National Coordinating Body of the European Week of Sport. SportMalta through its #BeActive campaign supports the research that sport makes students healthier and better learners in the classroom.

The SportMalta National Sports Day is a yearly event organised to celebrate life and promote a healthy lifestyle. It is an important day in the school calendar as it can ignite a child’s passion towards a healthy lifelong approach.

The benefits for the educational institutions in joining the SportMalta National Sports Day are:

• Create fun and enjoyment through physical activity for young people.
• Promote health and wellbeing for lifelong learning.
• Encourage social inclusion and develop social competence amongst students.

All educational institutions are welcome to participate in the yearly SportMalta National Sports Day event that is being held on Friday, 13^th October 2023. Any further queries can be sent to eventssm@sportmalta.org.mt

The European Week of Sport is back and for this year’s main event, we want to invite you to join us for the #BeActive Night – The Fitness Challenge, on Saturday 23rd September at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

The challenge is inspired by the popularity of HYROX and it’s designed for everybody to compete in fitness activities that are held in a fun party atmosphere. The 6 fitness challenges will be…Stationary Bike, Rowing, Kettlebells swings, Walking Lunges with Sandbags, Burpees and a short 30m Run.

Winners of each category will win a number of sports vouchers

Other fitness activities and lots of fun and entertaining events will held throughout the night.

Apply to the Fitness Challenge by registering here > https://form.jotform.com/232072008728351

For any further queries you can contact us on eventssm@sportmalta.org.mt

Minister for Sport Clifton Grima accompanied by SportMalta CEO Mark Cutajar and representatives of SportMalta employees this morning paid a visit to the Oncology Ward at Sir Anthony Mamo Hospital to show their appreciation and dedication to Puttinu Cares Foundation.  They were greeted by young patients, parents and staff at the Rainbow Ward and Puttinu Cares Foundation top officials Rennie Zerafa and Angele Cuschieri.

Minister Grima praised the work of Puttinu Cares Foundation.  He added that Malta is a small state but with a big heart and the work that Puttinu Cares is doing taking into account its complexities is remarkable.  SportMalta CEO Mark Cutajar said that the entity always worked hard to support charity institutions.  He said that for years the entity hosted the football marathon which was a flagship event of Puttinu Cares. He added that SportMalta’s door is always open to promote sports and physical activity helping financially such projects.

SportMalta presented to Puttinu Cares the sum of €9,500 which were collected by the Entity in a number of sport initiatives.  The money will support Puttinu Cares in their projects.

Less than 70 days remain until the start of the XIX Games of the Small States of Europe Opening Ceremony in Valletta.  As preparations continue to progress, the Maltese Olympic Committee hosted a meeting for Chefs de Mission and technical delegates representing the nine GSSE Countries for meetings in Malta.

Over twenty-five delegates participated in meetings and presentations relating to events, logistics, medical services, transportation, opening and closing ceremonies as well various venue site visits. The first visit was to athlete accommodation, which is currently undergoing a major refurbishment and will be fully operational a few weeks before the arrival of the first athletes.    Delegates were also given a tour of facilities which will host competitions during the Games.

“Undoubtedly the international climate has offered the organisation of these Games several challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the current political climate, we as the Organisation Committee, have no control over.  Nonetheless, we have garnered the support of various stakeholders, and sponsors which contribution will help us honour our commitment to deliver “commented Mark Cutajar, Chairman of the Local Organisation Committee.  “These Games have their own challenges but must move at par with the challenges that sport is facing around the Globe.”

In the evening, the Maltese Olympic Committee hosted the launch of Team Malta uniforms, in the presence of various Games stakeholders, Government representative, athletes, Federation representatives from the ten sporting disciplines taking place in Malta and other guests.  The brand-new Team Malta uniform was modelled by some of Malta’s most recognised athletes, and who will most likely be part of Team Malta during the Games.

Lacey Aquilina, Claire Azzopardi, Steve Camilleri, Francesca Catania, Josephine Diaby, Alex Felice Pace, Beppe Grillo, Sandek Khalaf, Michela Mifsud, Janet Richard, Julian Rizzo, Ashley van Vilet Vella and Nathan Xuereb modelled the uniforms which combine the red and white elements which capture the Maltese flavour, energy and passion – all elements associated with sport.  The uniform was designed keeping in mind the warm weather conditions during the Games, meaning that they will provide protection against the ultraviolet radiation as well as breathability.  The uniform will consist of tracksuits, t-shirts, polo shirts, caps and backpacks.

“Wearing Team Malta’s uniform is an honour many athletes are vying to have and who will treasure the opportunity to wear this uniform. Their focus towards these Games has been commendable and in the runup to the events, they have been producing consistently encouraging results” remarked Julian Pace Bonello, President, Maltese Olympic Committee.

Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research, and Innovation Dr Clifton Grima praised the work done to host this prestigious event in Malta. “As a team, Ministry, SportMalta and the MOC, we have been giving our all, together with the Sport Associations and the athletes to prepare for these games. We are looking forward to support and applaud our athletes as they keep the Maltese flag flying”.

The XIX Games of the Small States of Europe are being supported by SportMalta, NDSF, Welbee’s Supermarket, National Lottery, MITA, General Soft Drinks, Visit Malta, European Olympic Committees, Go, Enemed, BOV and The Concept Stadium.

More information on the XIX Games of the Small States of Europe can be found on https://gssemalta2023.mt

The project of the facility for gymnastics in the Marsa Sports Complex is moving at a fast pace and when completed it will be another intensive work that is being done in this Complex, to be transformed into a sports hub.

“It is part of our vision to make this Complex a sports hub, which includes facilities for various sports disciplines and of the best level,” said the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima during a visit to the work being done. He went on to say that, “This is a vision that we are fulfilling and through which we are aiming for our country to have sports facilities of international standards that serve as a foundation for a sports industry that also attracts investment to our country.”

This is another project from a list of sports infrastructure projects that are being carried out around the islands, in gymnastics facilities that not only include a hall for this sports discipline, but a complex that will also have suitable places for associations and sports associations have offices where they meet and manage their work. The Complex will have a hall that can accommodate around 300 spectators, a facility for artistic gymnastics; and ancillary facilities including board room, changing rooms and showers.

Both this project, with an investment of €5 million, and also others that are currently being carried out around the country are part of an ambitious vision that is being carried out, that of continuing to invest in sports facilities accessible to all and that through theirs is enjoyed by anyone who in one way or another practices some physical activity, from people who do basic training to professional athletes whose sport is their passion and career.

A few weeks ago another project was inaugurated in the Marsa Complex, the development and renovation of the Matthew Micallef St John Athletics Stadium with an investment of €2.5 million, a project that started a year ago and was completed in record time and is part of an investment of €9 million through which the Marsa Sports Complex is being changed to one of the highest level.

The investment being made is crucial for our country to take the next step in sport.

It is the aim of the government to continue to carry out together with all the parties in the sector so that even this sports sector is one that offers every possible opportunity for athletes and sportsmen so that they too reach their dreams and aspirations.​

With an investment of €2.5 million, the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima inaugurated a handball pavilion, dedicated to Louis Borg, former President of the Maltese Association of Handball, which is part of the sports facilities at the Maria Assunta Sports Complex in Hamrun.

“Today’s inauguration is the continuation of our work which is seeing strong investment in sports facilities around our country”, said Minister Grima. “This is a work that reflects what we promised as Government, to continue investing in sports facilities accessible to everyone and as close to you as possible. Our vision for this field affects everyone who in one way or another practices some physical activity, from people who do basic training to professional athletes whose sport is their passion and career”, said the Minister Grima.

“This Pavilion will serve to nurture this sport and to attract more youngsters toward this beautiful game”, said Mark Cutajar, SportMalta CEO.

“Its is a dream come through for all the community within this sport”, added Prof Andrew Decelis, Chairman of SportMalta Board of Directors.

The handball pavilion is part of a larger investment made in recent years in this complex, which also includes the first snooker academy in Malta with an investment of €700,000, a sports project for the Complex of Maria Assunta which by now already has a football ground and it is planned that there will also be a pavilion for various sports, a hall for table football, and another hall for bowling.

With the handball pavilion project, for the first time in Malta, a hall was built specifically to play this sport discipline. The hall accommodates 155 spectators and will be used primarily for handball training, from adults to children under 8 years old, as well as by SportMalta’s programs and by schools.

The hall was made according to International Handball Federation specifications, it is equipped with lighting that offers uniformity and reduces shadows to improve safety during use, as well as electric blinds that make it easy to use natural light. The iron structure is covered with a material that provides the best insulation, windows that open with an electronic mechanism and extractors to help control air and temperature.

In the plan put forward, the government is aiming for our country to have sports facilities of international standards that serve as a foundation for the sports industry that also attracts investment to our country. This is a collective work to raise the sport to the next level.

SportMalta is accepting bookings for this year’s Summer on the Move programme. Now in its 20th edition, SportMalta has stayed true to its roots by offering a summer programme based entirely on sport and physical activity. Over the years, thousands of children and adults have learnt how to swim and started a sport through this programme. Summer on the Move provides an experience that is both enjoyable and engaging, with a focus on developing physical literacy skills and core sport skills for children aged 4 and up, as well as fitness sessions for adults looking to stay active throughout summer.

The morning programme is offered with the option of 2, 3 or 5-day weekly sessions, with sessions varying from 3 to 6 hours daily of swimming and various sport. Evening programmes offer one hour sessions in different sports and children are encouraged to choose different activities over the week. The programme is offered at the Cottonera, Kirkop and Tal-Qroqq Sports Complexes, Mosta (Żokrija) Secondary School, Vikings Sailing Club and Gozo. This year, the programme at Cottonera Sports Complex will also incorporate swimming sessions at the brand new Olympic-sized indoor pool.

Summer on the move will open its doors on Monday 10^th July and will run for eight weeks with a short break in mid-August, ending on 7^th September. Booking is available online through this link – https://sportmalta.mt/programmes/online-booking-form/. For more information contact SportMalta on 22036000.