SportMalta has passed on the management of the bocci pitch in Blue Grotto Avenue, Zurrieq to the Local Council so that an open gym can be developed for the community.

An agreement between both parties was signed in the presence of Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport. He stated that through this initiative a place that was not being utilised would now be developed to serve the local community by providing a sport facility. This initiative follows a number of other projects that are being developed in local communities. In fact, a renovated jogging track in Santa Lucija and the Fgura Adventure Park were recently inaugurated.

Ignatius Farrugia, Mayor of Zurrieq said that this is a positive investment for the community as he described the people of Zurrieq as being active and who enjoy engaging in daily physical activity. Moreover, he said that the local council has the necessary funds needed to develop the project that is being estimated to cost around 23,000 euros.

The Chairman of SportMalta, Luciano Busuttil expressed his satisfaction that local councils are realising the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and remarked that this is in line with SportMalta’s mission statement to move a nation.

MOVE Week is an annual Europe-wide event taking place in May. It is an integral part of the NowWeMOVE campaign. The objective of MOVE Week is to promote the benefits of being active and participating regularly in sport and physical activity throughout Europe.

A wide range of promoters of physical activity (who we call MOVE Agents) coordinate events, including existing and new physical activities, for MOVE Week. In 2017 every country can choose when to implement MOVE Week in the timeframe of 29 May – 04 June according to their specific needs.

This timeframe coincides with the official dates of the European Week of Sport (EWOS) for national events. MOVE Week National Coordinators can therefore choose one week between the official EWOS dates to stage MOVE Week in their countries.

MOVE Week and the NowWeMOVE campaign are being coordinated centrally by the International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) in collaboration with the European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF). MOVE Week is financially supported by the European Union.

Infrastructural works are currently underway and in their third week at the Basketball Pavilion at Ta’ Qali. The project is totally financed by SportMalta.

This morning, Hon Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport visited the site and viewed the works accompanied by Paul Sultana, President of the Malta Basketball Association.

The project is expected to be completed by August in time for the opening of the upcoming season.

Last Tuesday was an important milestone for the Maltese Presidency in the field of Sport when during the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, all the Ministers of the 28 members states unanimously approved two important documents that were presented by the Maltese Presidency through the able work of SportMalta during the last six and more months.

SportMalta through its presidency unit managed to reach consensus amongst members states during six working party meetings, a council conclusion on Sport as a platform for social Inclusion through volunteering. The council conclusion states that volunteering plays a key role, including people within a community by strengthening the role of active citizens, increasing employability, promoting values and intercultural dialogue. Volunteering in sport, in addition to developing a variety of skills and competences, provides young people with opportunities in non-formal and formal learning.

This was followed by a resolution for the European Union work plan for sport that will give a road map for Sport in the European Union from 2017 till 2020.  The work plan addresses the integrity of sport, the economic dimension of sport and sport and society as its main themes.

Both documents will help as guidelines for all spectra of sport in Europe not only as member states, but also for European Commission and the most important stakeholders in the field of sport.

This council was proceeded by an interesting structure dialogue who had the presence amongst other stakeholders of Tibor Navracsics, the EU commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport.  The Malta presidency team chose ‘Utilizing Sports Media to strengthen Social Inclusion’ as main theme for this dialogue.  Moreover to add value to this dialogue, Bill Bush, Executive Director of the English Football Premier League, accepted the invitation and presented the way the Premier League uses part of its income to serve the community through social responsibility.  AIPS Europe President Charles Camenzuli and Pierre Cassar from the University of Malta added value through their input to the discussion.  This dialogue was followed during the Council of Ministers and brought many encouraging comments from Ministers for the validity of the topic, which is also featured in the next EU Work plan.

The EYCS Council brings to a close the official work related the Maltese EU Presidency in the field of Sport.  However the last event for SportMalta during the Presidency will be a joint event together with Agenzija Zghazagh and EUPA being Sport, Youth and Democracy seminar, during the last week of June.

250,000 euros financial assistance presented by SportMalta to sport associations and athletes during the first ceremony for 2017.

In total 35 associations/athletes benefitted from this assistance. The ceremony took place at the Bocci Club of Senglea, one of the clubs of the beneficiaries.

#OnTheMove – winter programme, organised by SportMalta with the support of Kellogg’s, topped off its 2016-2017 programme with an entertaining sports show. Participants of #OnTheMove programme gathered at the Marsa Sport Grounds to showcase their sport abilities in front of proud parents, relatives and friends.

Compered by popular TV personality Joe Tanti, the event kicked off with various mini tournaments including football, athletics and basketball, while BMX participants performed their cycling skills on a BMX track. Adults also shared the limelight, with a number of physical exercises demonstrating what #OnTheMove fitness classes are all about.

Hon. Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sports praised the coaches for their dedication. He expressed his gratitude to parents who chose year after year to enrol their children in both the winter and the summer programmes. He said that SportMalta will be continuing in its mission to get sports and physical activity as part of the lives of the Maltese community.

During a short address, SportMalta Chairman Hon. Dr Luciano Busuttil expressed his appreciation that this year’s #OnTheMove – winter programme saw an increase in both enrolment figures and the number of different sports offered – over 50 disciplines. He also thanked Kellogg’s for their continued support throughout these past 17 years.

During a short address Mr Simon Pace, Sales Manager at Charles Darmanin Co Ltd,  Kellogg’s distributors in Malta, said: “For the past 17 years Kellogg’s has embarked on sponsoring the winter sports programme of SportMalta, formerly known as Skolasport.  #OnTheMove winter programme offers many different sport disciplines, where children can learn the skills, tactics and rules of the game. We believe in SportMalta’s valuable contribution in developing sport talents among the young Maltese children.”

At the end of the show, Mr Pace presented the Kellogg’s sponsorship to SportMalta Chairman Dr Luciano Busuttil.

The Weightlifting Malta Open that took place this last Sunday proved to be a massive success, with numerous athletes participating and once again more national records being broken.

The competition took off with the youngest lifters who made sure to impress everyone who attended the event. The cadets, despite their age, showed much experience through their lifting with the first and second place only being separated by 1 point. Ryle Borg was named champion with a total of 73kg which corresponded to 133 point. Kyle Camilleri followed Borg with a total of 56kg and 132 points. Nikolai Muscat and Luca Zammit placed 3rd and 4th respectively, both performing extremely well. Other participants included first time lifter from #OnTheMove SportMalta programme, Blake Attard and also Tristian Zammit.

Shelby Vassallo was named the U15 girls champion and consequently even the U17 female runner up with an impressive total of 113kg. Shazel Gusman won both the U17 and U20 female category with a total of 126kg, breaking 2 national records in the process. Rebecca Fitz followed Shazel in the U20 category with a total of 112kg.

The second competition of the day saw the senior female lifters taking the platform with a total of 8 athletes participating. Yasmin Zammit Stevens was named Malta Open Champion for the second consecutive year where she lifted a total of 171kg with a corresponding 215 points.

Finally, the men’s group took off with a total of 17 participants taking part. The U20 category was won by elite athlete Kieran Mifsud who, despite struggling with a slight knee issue, finished with impressive 283kg total (309 points). Mifsud even managed to add 4 more national records to his name in both the junior and senior 105kg category with his 158kg clean and jerk and 283kg total. Andy Grech followed Mifsud in 2nd place with an incredible improvement from his previous best. He showed confidence and consistency in his lifts, finishing with a total of 210kg.

Kyle Micallef, won the Senior title with a 275kg total and a corresponding 320 points. Following Micallef was Kieran Mifsud in 2nd and Vlad Baldacchino in 3rd with a total effort of 237kg. Rodmar Pulis managed to place 4th on his first competition back since his shoulder surgery, while Andre Buhagiar (5th place) broke an 11 year old record in the 69kg category  with a snatch of 93kg.

SportMalta inaugurated the jogging track at Santa Lucia. This project costing 90, 000 euros involved major refurbishment works that were completed in less than a year. The jogging track is one kilometre long and it is an ideal venue for day to day physical activity.

Hon. Chris Agius, Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport said that the government has plans for two similar tracks in the localities of Xghajra and Fgura. On the other hand Luciano Busuttil, Chairman of SportMalta declared that this project is another SportMalta initiative to meet its mission in pushing people to become more active and healthy.

#OnTheMove Winter will conclude the 2016-2017 programme with a vibrant end-of-year show of sports disciplines.   For the second consecutive year, this annual event will be organised tomorrow at the Marsa Sports Complex were all participants with their families and friends will enjoy an energetic and colourful show of sport.

Due to a record number of participants, SportMalta has moved its annual manifestation to its largest outdoor complex in Marsa.

The large space at the Marsa Sport Grounds gives the possibility to organise different stations with the children and adults participating concurrently in different sports and activities. #OnTheMove Winter is sponsored by Kellogg’s.

For the third consecutive year SportMalta, organized an ‘Open Day’ at the National Pool Sports Complex on Monday 1^st May 2017.

The public took part in a variety of sports activities mainly swimming sessions, Salsa and Capoeira sessions for all ages, yoga, aqua-fitness for adults, Squash, Zumba, Piloxing, swimming races, free diving and canoe polo as well as an under 11 waterpolo tournament. The SportMalta Academy of synchronized swimming exhibited their skills in a show that will start at 11:30. The activities ended with a waterpolo match.

The main objective of this event is to focus the public’s attention on the importance of physical activity for their health and wellbeing and demonstrate how easy it is for them to be active despite their busy everyday lives.  In fact the World Health Organization recommends 20 minutes daily of light to moderate exercise for a healthy lifestyle. SportMalta’s mission is “moving a nation through the promotion and development of sport for a healthy, inclusive and successful Malta” and thus such initiatives give this opportunity to reach these goals.

More over swimming is considered as one of the fundamental sport disciplines and hence very beneficial for one’s health. Therefore this was a unique opportunity for the general public to practise this sport as participation in all these activities was free.

Application for Summer On The Move 2017 programme was also possible on the day.    A wide variety of sports disciplines is being offered in a number of centres around Malta. Again SportMalta has expanded its programme and has now introduced Salsa Dancing, Yoga for children, Parent and Child sessions in gymnastics and Fundam entals and self-defence for senior citizens.Summer On the Move is open to participants from the tender age of 1 to mature age.

This event is part of The  NowWeMove campaign, with the aim of promoting physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.