The 12^th edition of the President’s Solidarity Fun Run, taking place on Sunday 21^st of November, was launched.

Present for the launch were Mrs Miriam Vella, as well as Mr Mark Cutajar, Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Fun Run and Chief Executive of Sport Malta; the President of the Local Councils Association, Mario Fava; Enemed Executive Chairman, Kevin Chircop; the Opposition’s Spokesperson on Sport, Clyde Puli; as well as the Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Clifton Grima.

For his part, Mr Cutajar said that with the return of the Fun Run, this year the format will be slightly different as it will take the form of a walk in every locality in Malta and Gozo. He explained that the Fun Run will take place in accordance with the protocols of the Health Authorities and that anyone applying for and attending the Fun Run must present the vaccine certificate.

 Mr Chircop, on behalf of the main sponsor Enemed, described The Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation as a refuge for those going through difficult circumstances.

In a few words, Mr Mario Fava appealed to all residents as well as to every local council in Malta and Gozo to accept the invitation and unite for this noble cause.

Mr Puli described this event as an expression of the value of solidarity embraced by the people, while Parliamentary Secretary Grima described the Fun Run as a sign of hope that where there is unity, there is strength.

 In a speech at the launch of this year’s edition, President George Vella explained how such an occasion unites all the people and said that he is confident that once again, The Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation will find the support of the people.

 He thanked everyone involved in the event, and thanked all the sponsors.

 Anyone wishing to take part in the Fun Run 2021, can register with a donation of €10, either by visiting the Local Council of their locality or by applying through the website mccf.store.

Depiro Basketball Club organized activities over the span of two days in collaboration with Agenzija Support as a part of the European Week of Sport. On each activity day over a 100 people took part which made this event a successful one. 

On the first day they collaborated with Agenzija Support where physical activity through fitness exercises was presented for vulnerable groups. Different sessions throughout the day were held together with the supervision of Agenzija Support staff and Depiro Club Coaches. A small basketball tournament was held with Agenzija Support individuals and the day held over 100 participants.

On the second day due to bad weather the activities planned outdoor were moved indoors and had participants split into different groups conducting various fun activities through basketball emphasizing on the concept of working as a team. As the day played out and as the weather permitted activities on the football pitch where also held, all for different ages and lifestyles having over 150 individuals participating. 

These activities where of success thanks to all the staff and volunteers behind the planning and coordinating and the help of SportMalta all throughout.

On the 9th of October St. Paul’s Bay organised a yoga session for all ages and abilities as a part of being active all throughout during the European Week of Sport. The local council gathered over 15 participants on the day which contributed and attended the class.

The participants arrived at the Millennium Garden at 8:30am to take part in this activity, during the Yoga, the yoga instructor showed the participants basic yoga movements as the activity was set out to reach all abilities. At the end of the yoga activity at the Millennium Garden the group left for a walk towards the National Aquarium, including not just a yoga session but also an interactive social walk. Upon their arrival at the National Aquarium, thanks to SportMalta, participants were given SportMalta bags.  

This was a successful event and the Local Council of St. Paul’s Bay decided to repeat this activity as it turned out to be fruitful and successful. Residents had time to be active and socialise while doing some yoga and walking together. A special thanks to SportMalta for their help and inclusion throughout the activity.

On the 24th of September the Malta Employees Sports Association organized a Beach Volley tournament at Pretty Bay in Birzebbugia for all employed individuals interested in sport and the sport of Beach Volley.

The tournament held eight individuals forming four pairs which gave six thrilling games, those taking part included Jacques Seifret and Monica Zammit Munro, Matthew Abela and Kristen Carabott, Gordon Cachia and Stefania Bonnici, Luke Fenech and Annette Farrugia.

During the tournament, challenging intense games were presented seeing Stefania Bonnici and Gordon Cachia win the tournament, although it was not an easy win. A direct encounter saw Bonnici and Cachia win against a strong couple made up of Monica Zammit Munro and Jacques Siefret which ended the tournament in second place.

This event was of great success and aiming for more sports specific tournaments held by the Malta Employees Sport Association and the collaboration of SportMalta

On Saturday 25^th October at Maria Regina Middle School, Naxxar Starlites Basketball held its Mini Basketball Open Day and organised a Mini Basketball Festival which brought together children of different ages to play 3 vs 3 games.

During this event which celebrated the European Week of Sport seen a turnout of many children participating in games and fun physically active activities. As part of Starlites BC long term plan, and aligned to the motto of the club, towards an active lifestyle, the last hour was dedicated specifically for children as young as 3 and 4 years of age. These young participants were exposed to micro basketball and games which offered an exposure to movement, exploration of space and shooting hoops in an adapted micro basketball environment.

A dire need to expose young children to movement and activity is an essential target in the Club’s objectives. Starlites BC thanks all coaches and helpers who attended this event and SportMalta for providing gifts to all children who participated.

SportMalta is pleased to announce that the negotiations on the new collective agreement for the period 2021-2024 were concluded and the agreement was signed on 4th October 2021.

The Entity which has a mission to facilitate inclusion and a healthy lifestyle through sport and physical activity is expanding its facilities with a number of infrastructural projects to create more high level places for the mission targets to be reached. The employees covered by this agreement are crucial in achieving these targets Moreover, they are contributing to move SportMalta to new highs with record participation in its programmes and record number of events to promote physical activity and sport towards a healthy lifestyle.

The agreement puts forward a 2.7% increase in financial package and also addressed some abnormalities in previous agreements. A number of family friendly measures make the agreement more attractive to its employees. Moreover this agreement offers to facilitate career development.

CEO Mark Cutajar thanked all involved including the Industrial Relations Unit within the Office of the Prime Minister, UHM representative, Human Resources Department of the entity and workers representatives for the smooth negotiations in between parties during a particularly challenging moment. He stated that this agreement gives the required tools to one of the best teams of employees on the island to continue to excel.

The agreement was signed by Mark Cutajar CEO and Dr Luciano Busuttil Chairman of SportMalta, Mario Sacco and Isabelle Farrugia on behalf of UHM and Darren Brincat and Michael Micallef representing the employees.

The signing of the agreement was overseen by Hon. Clifton, Parliamentary Secretary for Sport

Following the success of the Summer On The Move program over the summer, for another year, SportMalta is launching the program for the winter season. During the winter season, the program will be offering more opportunities for children and adults to be physically active and practice their favourite sport. During this program, academies will be strengthened to give more opportunities to all children to reach higher levels in sport.

Robert Portelli, Head of Programmes within SportMalta, pointed out that the aim of SportMalta is for every child to be able to practice sport regardless of the resources of their parents or carers, so that we can ensure a more active and healthy generation.

In addition to the winter program On The Move, SportMalta is also launching a sports and educational campaign for the public. Rose Marie Mercieca, coordinator of the European Week of Sport said that against the background where there is a growing percentage of people across the European Union who do not engage in physical activity or play sports, SportMalta – as part of its mission to lead Malta through the promotion and development of sport for Malta strong, inclusive and successful, and in its position of the National Coordinating Body of the European Week of Sport – launched a special campaign to achieve its goals.

The campaign consists of a number of videos with different themes, which show examples and possibilities of how to be active through sport and education. The aim of this initiative is to create a balance, where the subject is treated from different perspectives, notably that of a coach, teacher, parent, athletes from different backgrounds, and the sports volunteer who has a very specific nature.

Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Recreation and Voluntary Organizations Clifton Grima expressed his satisfaction with the success of the Summer On The Move program and announced that 1,000 applications had already been submitted for the winter program. “This competition and this sporting activism fills us with courage and determination to continue to plan such programs for children and adults of all ages,” the parliamentary secretary continued.

Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Recreation and Voluntary Organisations Clifton Grima launches Winter on the Move

The Chief Executive of SportMalta stressed how this year’s edition of the European Week of Sport was a great success. The activities had a good response from the general public, athletes, clubs and associations. Therefore, as a dynamic entity, SportMalta has launched a media campaign on education and sport and on the need for more volunteers in the field of sports, now that major events have arrived in our country such as the Special Olympics 2022 and the Games of the Small Countries of Europe in 2023.

He also said that these programs, in addition to their main goal being sports activism from a young age, send the message that sport is for everyone regardless of a person’s ages and resources. “The government, together with SportMalta, is looking forward to preparing more programs and a campaigns to have a more active and physically and mentally healthy people”

On the occasion of the European Week of Sport on Sunday 26 September 2021 at the National Shooting Complex of Candia, a competition was held for a straight shot shooting competition.

20 shooters participated in the qualifying session on 50 plates, of which six shooters qualify as finalists.

The final was held on 25 plates for which the shooters Joseph Galea, John Gauci, John Mary Camilleri, Gordon Tanti, Keith Portelli and Noel Muscat qualified.

Shooter John Galea took first place with the largest amount with a total of 73 plates, followed by shooter John Gauci with a total of 72 plates, in third place finished John Mary Camilleri with a total of 71 plates.