Zebbug Tennis Club organized an event entitled  a Doubles//Singles Tournament for Beginners and Semi Beginners.

This was held on 24^th September 2021 from 7 to 11:30pm whereby 22 players from different walks of life and with different abilities were divided into 3 teams.

Besides the physical aspect and Fun comradeship, there was also an element of competitiveness whereby one did his utmost both physically and tennis wise to win.

Trophies were presented to winners//runner ups and a bag was kindly also donated to each participant by Sport Malta who are always foremost to help us to encourage sportive activity.

B’riżultat ta’ ftehim bejn SportMalta fi ħdan il-Ministeru għall-Inklużjoni u l-Kwalità tal-Ħajja u l-Kunsill Lokali ta’ Ħal Luqa, il-komunità ta’ Ħal Farruġ, li tifforma parti mil-lokalità ta’ Ħal Luqa u li fiha joqogħdu 580 resident, se tkun tista’ tagħmel użu mill-faċilitajiet għall-eżerċizzji fiżiċi li SportMalta għandha f’Ta’ Kandja. L-użu ta’ dawn il-faċilitajiet se jkun mingħajr ħlas u se jkunu eliġibbli għalih persuni li l-età tagħhom hija minn 16-il sena ‘l fuq.

Il-Ministru għall-Inklużjoni u l-Kwalità tal-Ħajja Julia Farrugia Portelli, li kienet preżenti għall-iffirmar tal-ftehim, iddeskrivietu bħala investiment ieħor li se jtejjeb il-kwalità tal-ħajja tar-residenti. “Huma diversi l-fatturi li jikkontribwixxu għal x’livell ta’ kwalità ta’ ħajja jkun qed jgħix il-poplu. Ekonomija soda, servizzi edukattivi u ta’ saħħa, drittijiet ċivili, servizzi soċjali, u servizzi u benefiċċji lil persuni b’diżabilità huma fost dawn il-fatturi, u li ċertament li l-gvern ta aktar minn prova waħda ta’ kemm mexxa lill-pajjiż ‘il quddiem fihom. Xjentifikament u medikament, hu stabbilit li eżerċizzju fiżiku hu kruċjali għall-benesseri tal-individwu. Qed naħsbu għal dan ukoll. Tista’ tgħid li għandna faċilitajiet sportivi f’kull belt u raħal u qegħdin niżviluppaw il-kunċett li nipprovdu apparat għall-eżerċizzi fiżiċi fil-miftuħ b’kordinazzjoni mal-kunsilli lokali u SportMalta biex ikun jista’ jintuża mir-residenti tal-lokalità.”

Il-Ministru Farrugia Portelli żiedet tgħid li, “Qegħdin inkomplu niżviluppaw il-kunċett li jittejbu l-attivitajiet sportivi u fiżiċi fil-komunitajiet, bħalma huwa l-ftehim bejn SportMalta u l-Kunsill Lokali ta’ Ħal Luqa, li apparti li huma utli ħafna biex dak li jkun iżomm ruħu f’saħħtu, fl-istess ħin iservu wkoll ta’ rilassament mentali, rilassament li jirrendi kwalità ta’ ħajja aħjar. Il-komunità ta’ Ħal Farruġ se tkun tista’ tibbenefika mill-faċilitajiet għall-eżerċizzji fiżiċi li SportMalta għandha f’Ta’ Kandja.”

Segretarju Parlamentari għall-Isport, ir-Rikreazzjoni u l-Għaqdiet Volontarji Clifton Grima rrimarka kif ġimgħa wara oħra, permezz tal-proġetti sportivi fil-komunità, il-gvern qiegħed ikompli juri kemm verament irid itejjeb il-kwalità tal-ħajja tal-poplu Malti. Is-Segretarju Parlamentari qal li, “L-għan ħolistiku ta’ dawn il-proġetti komunitarji u sportivi huwa li l-poplu jintegra ma’ xulxin filwaqt li jsib ħin biex jeżerċita ruħu u jżomm ruħu attiv kemm jista’ jkun”.

Is-Segretarju Parlamentari żied jgħid li, bl-għajnuna tal-kunsill lokali flimkien mar-rieda tal-gvern u SportMalta, aktar nies qed jibbenifikaw minn attivitajiet sportivi bla ħlas biex ikollna poplu b’saħħtu.

Iċ-Chairman ta’ SportMalta Luciano Busuttil qal li SportMalta dejjem tfittex mezzi differenti sabiex tilħaq aktar nies biex jagħmlu attività fiżika. Huwa qal li SportMalta akkwistat dan l-apparat għal attivitajiet tal-Ġimgħa Ewropea tal-Isport u poġġiet dan l-apparat għad-dispożizzjoni permanenti tal-pubbliku sabiex jitgawda s-sena kollha.

Is-Sindku ta’ Ħal Luqa John Schembri saħaq li din l-inizjattiva hi waħda pożittiva li se tkun qed tagħti opportunità lir-residenti ta’ Ħal Farruġ biex jagħmlu użu minn din il-faċilità bla ħlas. Is-Sindku ħeġġeġ lir-residenti ta’ Ħal Farruġ sabiex japplikaw għall-sħubija mill-Kunsill Lokali.​

Minister for Inclusion  and Quality of Life  Julia Farrugia  Portelli  together  with Parliamentary Secretary  for  Sport,  Recreation and Voluntary Organisations  Clifton  Grima  and SportMalta CEO    Mark Cutajar  announced €21,000  in financial assistance to  Frame Football Malta,   to purchase  31  specialist  frames  for  disabled  children to be  able  to  play  football.

Frame Football is a suitable football game concept for children who need   a walking frame or crutches  to  play football. This investment is ensuring and ascertaining that every child who needs some kind of  mobile help   and  wants to  play football like the rest of the children  can  do this.

This investment further confirms the government’s policy of having an inclusive society so  that  together, as  one nation,  we improve  our abilities.

The Minister  for Inclusion  and Quality of Life  Julia Farrugia  Portelli  said that the principle of inclusion  contributes  greatly  to a better quality of life.  This investment shows tangibly how the principle of inclusion is not only  one  on   paper. Inclusion  in sport  is  one of the cornerstones  of the  national strategy for  persons  with disabilities. This will be launched in the coming  weeks. 

The Minister  stressed the importance    of continuing  to  create an environment  where  disabled persons  feel  comfortable doing  what  others do, even if in different ways.  The contribution  of  voluntary organisations,  such as  Frame Football Malta,  strengthens our work  in this direction.

 Parliamentary Secretary  Clifton  Grima  said    that  today  is a historic  day for inclusion in Maltese  sport  and for children with  disabilities . “Sport  unites us,  but to be  able  to  truly  say  that  through  sport  everyone  is  included we need to keep  investing in equipment,  irrispective of a person’s  ability. The Parliamentary Secretary  said  that the government’s mission  is,  that apart from achieving prestigious results,  every individual should have access to practice and participate in sport.

Parliamentary  Secretary  Grima    added  that this investment in frame football equipment, besides having  an impact  on  children  and  young people with  disabilities, will  help them   improve  their   social skills, communication and self-confidence . “These investments  exemplifies the government’s message  that it  really  is a government for the people. We  are committed     to    create opportunities  for  each  individual to improve,”   the Parliamentary Secretary concluded .

  SportMalta    CEO Mark Cutajar  stressed  that this investment is a fundamental  part of SportMalta’s mission  , which helps  to    achieve   a stronger, more inclusive and  successful society.

Frame Football Malta President Rita Darmanin Carbonaro  said  that the investment has provided a necessary  tool  for  these children  and young people  to   further  develop  their love for the football game.    This puts us on  an equal  footing  with  clubs    abroad with  whom they  can  participate  and  compete in tournaments  and  other sporting activities.

Prime Minister Robert Abela announces car and motorcycle racetrack project in Hal Far.

With an investment of € 20 million, this international level racetrack is another promised project which will be enjoyed by everyone.

During a Cabinet meeting held at the Basketball Pavilion in Ta ‘Qali wherein sportsmen were present, Prime Minister Dr. Robert Abela announced this international level racetrack project in Ħal Far, with an investment of € 20 million.

“We are placing sport at the top of the government’s agenda and in the coming years we must make achievements which we have never reached before and embark on projects that have been waiting for years,” said Dr Abela.  Besides giving widespread access to sport for all in our schools and in the community, we must also ensure that our children aspire to be professional sport persons.

He mentioned the Games of the Small States of Europe which will take place in Malta in 2023 and the investment that is being done in the facilities to host these games and also towards the athletes, so that Malta will have the best results in history. 

Presently it is the time for the racetrack project in Hal-Far. “The plans are ready and a financial proposal agreed on with the participation of the NDSF”, the Prime Minister said. He also stated that on a design of German experts at the choice of the Malta Motorsport Federation this project will be of the highest level that everyone will enjoy.

Dr Abela said the government has seen to it that it does not take any land which is outside the development zones, this land is currently already being used for a similar activity. He also said that sound studies have been carried out so this will not be an inconvenient to Birżebbuġa residents, new systems will be introduced to make this race track a professional one and a quality attraction.

The Prime Minister concluded by saying that this is another wisely planned promise that will lead to 95% of the sporting measures of the electoral manifesto implemented.

Representatives of various sports disciplines were invited to this Cabinet meeting, the Malta Motorsport Federation’s president Mr. Duncan Micallef said that this government will be remembered as the one that carried out the wishes of tens of thousands of people. The former FIA European Drag Racing Champion stressed that the motorsport racetrack is the result of cooperation between the government and sport amateurs, due to this Malta will have a high-level project which will enable us to have international champions in this sport.

Minister for Inclusion and Quality of Life Julia Farrugia Portelli said “There is one element that brings us together, the strong value of sport and that we truly believe in its progress in various forms. We look forward to the coming months with a sense of pride that Malta, a small country, will send a strong message on inclusion while we host the Special Olympics next year “.

Minister Farrugia Portelli added that, “When we talk about inclusion we are talking about inclusion in its broadest sense, a girl, a boy with a disability, can play sports and yes they can compete.  In the last three years investment in the sports sector has been unprecedented. From 2019 until now this has increased by € 6.7 million, to a record sum of more than € 14 million. We must always understand the importance of sport, it is scientifically proven that the quality of life is also measured by physical activity”.

Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Recreation and Voluntary Organizations Dr Clifton Grima said that the National Motorsport Center in AL Far will strengthen the existing drag racing and karting, while building a circuit adjacent to these same facilities. The parliamentary secretary also said that the existing drag racing and karting facilities will be upgraded and due to this investment international events are already committed. Finally, the parliamentary secretary recalled how this government is achieving results that are crucial for all athletes.

Interventions were also made by sports representatives including basketball, football, water polo, water sports, athletics, rugby, snooker the Maltese Olympic Committee. Also present were representatives of Sport Malta and Equestrian Malta.

Għarb Local Council organised an activity for its residents as part of the European Week of Sport on 16^th September. Tai Chi is a form of graceful exercise that is used to reduce stress and a variety of other health conditions. This is often described as meditation during movement, and it promotes serenity through gentle circulating movements. This was the first time that we had this type of exercise in our village, and we had good feedback. We look forward to doing it again in the future. Thanks goes to SportMalta for their assistance.

On 19^th September, Gharb Local Council organised its third edition of the 5k Run. Nowadays everyone knows how important it is to do some form exercise and #BeActive. This 5k Run brought together athletes of all ages. Every year we always have new participants who are motivated to continue practicing this type of sports. We thank SportMalta for their support in the event. This activity also formed part of the European Week of Sport events.

Today the Malta Snooker Academy based in Hamrun will host an exhibition match between two of Malta’s best ever players Tony Drago and Alex Borg. This event is being organised by SportMalta with the collaboration of the Malta Billiards and Snooker Association as part of the European Week of Sports which officially ends today.

Tony Drago and Alex Borg who are well known for their national and international results, will face each other over best of nine frames.

Also as part of this 7th edition of the European Week of Sport, the Malta Snooker Accademy organised the BeActive Tournament in which 52 players took part with the final game  being played today.  Finalists Philip Ciantar and Brian Cini will decide the winner over seven frames. In the semi finals Philip Ciantar beat Chris Peplow 3-1 whilst Brian Cini managed to beat Glenn Axiaq 3-2.

The two games are going to be streamed live on YouTube Channel link https://youtu.be/KtkBQyyBy61

The final of the BeActive Tournament between Ciantar and Cini starts at 5:00 pm with the exhibition game between Drago and Borg immediately after it.

27 member states and many other countries across Europe and the
western Balkans throughout this week are having a massive
campaign in order to get the populations more active. The European
week of Sport is an initiative by the European Commission to create
awareness towards the need of physical activity in one’s life. The
European week of Sport was symbolically launched by Commissioner
Maria Gabriel in Bled, Slovenia, the country which holds the EU
Presidency of the Council.

Malta through SportMalta, the government entity for sport
organised two main events and many other satellite events for our
population to be more active. On Thursday the Kirkop Sport
Complex was transformed into a sport village where many
associations, federation and clubs displayed their sport. Hundreds of
athletes of different ages and abilities took part in this event which
was endorsed the presence of Minister Julian Farrugia and
Parliamentary Secretary Clifton Grima. Traditional team sport
organised sessions for their nurseries. basketball, netball, rugby and
football. There were also other individual such as table-tennis, table
football, weightlifting, a show from BMX, kendo, judo, badminton,
taekwando, gymnastics, triathlon, line dancing, athletics and
Waterpolo. The SportMalta programme on the move was also active
with displays from the academies. There were also competitions
organised by Special Olympics Malta and the Frame football
association who were recently donated 31 frames by SportMalta for
the sport to keep expanding. SportMalta employees and coaches
were also very active to distribute various freebies with the Be Active
logo for the message to be passed on to their families.
Yesterday all Europe between 21 and 23 hours celebrated the
BeActive night. For the second year running SportMalta organised
an Obstacle course relay which was transmitted live on TV. The
competition was held in the adventure park adjacent to the

Cottonera Sport Complex. 8 teams made up of four participants ( 2
male and 2 female) took part in a knockout competition. The teams
had a non playing captain many of who were ambassadors of this
year European Week of Sport. The obstacles varied with the athletes
being challenged on good grip and core strength. All 32 athletes
tried hard to get their body over and around the obstacles on a
slippery terrain made more difficult with rain simulation throughout
the course. There were intervention during the activity by Dr Lydia
Abela who focussed on the various initiatives she is launching to
promote physical activity for a healthy citizenship, parliamentary
secretary Clifton Grima, SportMalta Chairman Luciano Busuttil and
National Coordinator Rosemarie Mercieca. After three hard fought
battles the team captained by Special Olympics athlete Matthew
Bugeja emerged to be winners beating the team captained by
Olympian Matthew Abela. The team led by Paralympian Thomas
Borg finished third. SportMalta chief executive officer Mark Cutajar
presented the trophy and 800 Euro in sport Equipment to the
winning team.

During the Be Active night SportMalta launched two parallel
campaigns. The first one focussed on creating a balance between
sport and education. A number of sport personalities of all ages
passed their message through short video clips. These include
Waterpolo youngster Jayden Cassar, young tennis player Kayleigh
Busuttil, 400m runner Janet Richards, former 400m runner Charlene
Attard, football coach Paul Zammit, parent Mariella Borg Costanzi
and special Olympian Rachel Chircop. The second number of clips
promote volunteering with coaches / administrators Joseph Muscat
(basketball), Philip Ciantar (Snooker), Mario Aquilina (Sailing), Laura
Demicoli (Paralympic Committee) and Maria Vidal (Special Olympics)
encouraging followers to join and volunteer and club and national
level.

For more information about the European week of Sport which will
come to an end on the 30 th September you can join the web on
www.sportmalta.mt

Mark Cutajar Chief Executive Officer of SportMalta said that the activities will be focused between 23rd September and 30th September. The opening of the activities will take place through sports activities at the Kirkop Sports Complex. More than 20 sports organizations will take part and they range from individual sports to team sports. The activity starts at 18:00.

Cutajar said that another important event will take place on the 25th of the month in the garden next to the Cottonera Sports Complex. The activity traditionally known as #BeActive Night will be an Obstacle Uphill Sprint Relay between 8 teams and 32 athletes on a knockout basis.

He also mentioned that there will be other activities including activities in different localities and from different organizations as well as activities in schools. Cutajar said he will start a media campaign on volunteering in sport, the outdoors as well as on the balance between sport and education.

Finally, Cutajar also announced that the ambassadors of this edition are Sacha Gatt, Yazmin Zammit Stevens, Matthew Bugeja, Vlada Kravchenko, Matthew Abela, Eleanor Bezzina, Andrew Chetcuti, Thomas Borg, Matthew Bugeja and Carla Scicluna who all took part in the Olympics, Paralympics and Special Olympics.

To commemorate the European Week of Sport, Marsakala Aquatic organized a half-day waterpolo interleague at its own training grounds, Zonqor Point Ex-National Pool on Sunday 5^thSeptember. The league was played amongst four participant teams made up of members of the Club’s nursery, parents, senior team members, masters and coaching staff. Members of the Club’s nursery were each presented with a backpack courtesy of SportMalta. The event was closed off with a festive BBQ for all attendees. Marsaskala Aquatic strongly believes that sports and physical exercise is a way to achieve a healthy lifestyle. Club members and its committee would like to thank SportMalta for supporting and encouraging this initiative #BEACTIVE