Sportmalta Welcomes FIBA Europe President to Cottonera Sports Complex

Malta’s growing standing within international sporting circles was again on display today as Jorge Garbajosa, President of FIBA Europe, visited the Cottonera Sports Complex, the latest stop in a continued pattern of engagement between SportMalta and the governing bodies that shape sport across the continent. The visit brought one of European basketball’s most senior administrators face to face with a facility that has become central to SportMalta’s community sport ambitions.

A Familiar Face in European Basketball

Mr Garbajosa was no stranger to the upper echelons of the sport. Elected President of FIBA Europe in May 2023, he arrived in the role having already served as President of the Spanish Basketball Federation between 2016 and 2023. He had sat on the FIBA Europe Executive Committee since 2019, held a coopted seat on the FIBA Central Board, chaired the FIBA Competitions Commission, and was set to serve as FIBA Vice President for the 2023–2027 term.

As a player, the Spaniard reached the very top of the international game, lifting the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2006 and the FIBA EuroBasket title in 2009, adding an Olympic silver medal in 2008 and three further EuroBasket podium finishes to a career that also took in spells with leading European clubs and a stint in the NBA with the Toronto Raptors.

What Did the Visit Cover?

Mr Garbajosa was taken on a tour of the Cottonera Sports Complex’s sporting infrastructure and briefed on the range of activities and programmes based there. SportMalta representatives walked him through projects already completed at the site as well as those still taking shape, giving the visiting official a clear sense of how the complex had evolved and where future investment was expected to be directed.

The briefing placed particular emphasis on the complex’s role as a starting point for a number of SportMalta initiatives that had since been extended to other localities, underlining the facility’s function as something of a proving ground within the organisation’s wider network.

Mr Garbajosa also had the chance to witness the Let’s Move Malta programme in action during his visit, observing first-hand the participation the initiative had generated at the Cottonera Sports Complex as part of its ongoing rollout. He was impressed by the concept behind the programme, suggesting that it’s the kind of initiative that should be implemented in other countries across Europe.

A Two-Way Exchange

For SportMalta, hosting a figure of Mr Garbajosa’s standing offered a chance to present its work to someone with a continent-wide vantage point on sports administration and facility development. The visit was framed less as a courtesy call than as part of an ongoing dialogue between local and international sporting structures, one that officials suggested would continue beyond today’s tour.

During the visit, SportMalta CEO Mark Cutajar discussed with Mr Garbajosa how sport had grown into an important sector across the island, pointing to the extent to which Malta’s facilities and sporting programmes had improved in recent years for use by associations and the general public alike.

Also present for the visit were Larkin Bonnici, Policy Consultant within the Ministry, and Paul Sultana, President of the Malta Basketball Association. Among the topics discussed was the prospect of future collaboration between the parties, including efforts to attract international events to Malta, the possibility of hosting 3×3 basketball competitions, and the exchange of education projects between local and European basketball structures.

Basketball formed part of the broader mix of sports supported through SportMalta’s facilities and programming, and the organisation had continued working with national and local bodies to widen participation across a range of disciplines. A visit from the President of FIBA Europe was regarded as a further opportunity to strengthen those relationships and to weigh how local facilities might continue to develop in step with practice elsewhere in Europe.

Looking Ahead

Visits of this kind reflected SportMalta’s continued engagement with international federations and its efforts to align local infrastructure and programming with wider European standards. As work at the Cottonera Sports Complex and elsewhere continued, exchanges with figures such as Mr Garbajosa offered a useful external perspective on the organisation’s direction and its place within the broader European sporting landscape.

Ahead of the launch of the Let’s Move Malta Summer Programme, coaches taking part in the initiative attended a seminar yesterday titled “Coach, You Matter!”, organised in collaboration with the Malta Sport Coaches Association. The session, held under the theme Unify – Empower – Elevate, brought together coaches for an afternoon of reflection, practical guidance and shared planning ahead of the programme’s start.

The seminar opened with remarks from SportMalta Chief Executive Officer Mark Cutajar, Director Corporate Services Rose Marie Mercieca, and MSCA Founding Board Member Ruben Baldacchino, each reinforcing a shared message: coming together to empower coaches and elevate the qualities they bring to their work.

Coach, You Matter!

The seminar’s central presentation, delivered by Dr Renzo Kerr-Cumbo, invited coaches to reflect on their own values and the influence they carry, drawing on personal accounts of teachers, mentors and family members who shaped participants through simple acts of care. The presentation connected these reflections to established psychological principles, among them the fundamental human needs for safety, belonging and recognition, and the concepts of autonomy, competence and relatedness. Coaches were also introduced to the notion of professional love and its role in early years care and education and encouraged to consider how small gestures of encouragement can carry lasting significance for the children in their care.

Coaching Matters

A second section addressed the practical side of coaching, covering positive group management, from welcoming children and setting clear expectations to structuring activity time and maintaining an active, engaged coaching presence. A framework for managing behaviour, built around redirecting, reinforcing and resetting, was presented as a means of maintaining a calm and constructive environment without resorting to public correction.

Shaping a Coaching Charter

The seminar concluded with a workshop in which coaches, working in groups, contributed toward a Coaching Charter, addressing themes such as preparation, communication, professional behaviour, safety and long-term growth. Organisers described the exercise as an opportunity for coaches to define, in their own words, the standards they wish to uphold.

Looking Ahead

The seminar comes as the Let’s Move Malta Summer Programme prepares to commence, equipping coaches with both the reflective grounding and practical tools to support children across the programme’s various strands throughout the summer months.

SportMalta’s flagship Let’s Move Malta Summer Programme gets underway tomorrow, launching another summer dedicated to promoting physical activity, healthy lifestyles and community engagement across the Maltese Islands. This year’s edition has attracted an impressive 3,000 participants, reflecting the programme’s continued popularity among children, teenagers and adults.

The eight-week programme will be delivered across six venues: Cottonera Sport Complex, Marsa Sport Complex, the National Pool Complex, Maria Assunta Complex (Hamrun), Kirkop Sport Complex, Gozo  and Mosta (Zokrija Secondary School). Throughout the summer, these centres will host a wide range of sporting and recreational activities, ensuring that participants from different localities have access to quality coaching and modern sporting facilities and equipment.

Participants will benefit from the expertise of fully qualified coaches, who will lead the various sporting activities and ensure that sessions are delivered in a safe, enjoyable and professional environment. They will be supported by a team of dedicated helpers who will assist the coaches in the preparation and organisation of activities, enabling each session to run efficiently while providing participants with the attention and encouragement they need. Over 180 between coaches and helpers will deliver this programme.

Designed to encourage people of all ages and abilities to embrace a more active lifestyle, the Let’s Move Malta Summer Programme offers an extensive selection of activities, including swimming, athletics, gymnastics, football, fitness classes, dance, judo, sailing and a variety of other recreational sports. The programme not only focuses on developing sporting skills but also promotes teamwork, discipline, confidence and respect.

For younger participants, the programme provides a structured and engaging environment during the school holidays, encouraging healthy habits from an early age while allowing children to discover new sports, build confidence and make lasting friendships. Adults also benefit from a broad programme of fitness and wellness sessions tailored to different levels of experience and physical ability.  Most of the programmes run from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 14:00 hours whilst other tailor-made programmes are offered at different hours.

The participation of 3,000 individuals highlights the strong demand for organised sporting activities during the summer months and reinforces SportMalta’s commitment to building a healthier and more active nation. Over the course of the eight weeks, participants will not only improve their physical wellbeing but also enjoy the social and personal benefits that come with regular participation in sport.

As the first sessions begin tomorrow, SportMalta is looking forward to welcoming thousands of participants to its six venues for another successful edition of the Let’s Move Malta Summer Programme. With the support of experienced coaches, committed helpers and modern sporting facilities, the initiative once again demonstrates that sport is for everyone, providing opportunities for people of all ages to stay active, learn new skills and enjoy a fun, healthy and rewarding summer.

SportMalta attended the European Union Peer Learning Activity on sport tourism, held on 25 and 26 June 2026 in Salzburg City in Austria. The two-day event, co-funded by the European Union and organised under the Austrian Federal Ministry for Housing, Arts, Culture, Media and Sport, brought together sport and tourism officials from across EU member states to examine sport tourism as a driver of economic growth and regional development.

SportMalta was represented and delivered a presentation on Malta’s approach to sport tourism. The activity focused on sport as a driver of tourism, examining data-based insights and policy impact through presentations, keynote addresses and panel discussions on the current landscape of sport tourism across Europe and its potential for policy development.

Malta’s Sport Tourism Offer

SportMalta’s presentation outlined the role that sport tourism plays within Malta’s wider tourism strategy, noting its importance in attracting visitors beyond the peak summer season. Malta’s mild climate, coastal environment and modern sports facilities were highlighted as key assets, with the country’s offer spanning football and athletics training camps, diving and water sports, sailing and yachting, and open-water swimming competitions. Cooperation between SportMalta and the Malta Tourism Authority supports shared objectives including diversifying tourism products, reducing seasonality and supporting local economic development through sports events and training camps.

Major International Events

Malta’s recent hosting record formed a central part of the presentation. SportMalta managed the National Pool Complex at Tal-Qroqq and the Cottonera Sports Complex for the World Aquatics Water Polo World Cup Division 2 in 2026, and supported the European Aquatics Champions League Final Four, both of which attracted international athletes, officials and supporters. The annual Rolex Middle Sea Race, departing from the Grand Harbour, and the Traditional Regatta, organised twice yearly by SportMalta, were also cited alongside Special Olympics Malta as events combining sporting and cultural value with measurable tourism impact.

Looking Ahead

Malta’s participation in the Salzburg peer learning activity reflects SportMalta’s ongoing engagement with European sport policy networks and its commitment to positioning the island as a year-round destination for sporting activity and international competition.

The COOP Services National Long Course Championships 2025/26 took place at the SportMalta Cottonera Sport Complex, Cospicua from Thursday 26 June to Sunday 29 June 2026, bringing together 373 athletes representing 17 clubs across four days of competitive long course swimming. The event served as one of the principal fixtures on the national aquatics calendar, attracting participants from across Malta as well as a number of international entries from Turkey and France. Hon. Minister for Education and Sport Byron Camilleri attended the championships, following the ongoing competition, alongside the President of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, Karl Izzo, and the Chief Executive Officer of SportMalta, Mark Cutajar.

A total of 373 athletes — 206 men and 167 women — generated 1,789 individual entries and 81 relay entries across the four days. The championships drew clubs of varying sizes, from large established squads to smaller visiting contingents, with competition spanning all age groups from the youngest categories through to senior open events.

Top Three Clubs

Neptunes WPSC claimed the top spot on the medal table with an emphatic 42 gold, 42 silver, and 24 bronze medals, demonstrating considerable depth across both their male and female squads. Sliema ASC finished second with 32 gold, 9 silver, and 14 bronze medals, while Southwaves Swimming Club rounded out the top three with 11 gold, 9 silver, and 7 bronze medals.

Records Broken

Two age group records fell during the championships. Martina Galea of Aquahub set a new Group C Women’s Age Group Record in the 50m Butterfly, clocking 29.60 to claim gold in that event. Madeleine Cassar of Neptunes WPSC broke the Group D Women’s Age Group Record in the 200m Butterfly, finishing in 2:25.59 in what was an impressive individual championship across multiple events.

International Participation

The championships also welcomed international representation, with Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü from Turkey contributing nine athletes across 34 individual events, alongside entries from Fmv Isik Spor Kulübü, MUC Natation, and individual representatives from Turkey. This international presence added further competitive depth to the proceedings and provided Maltese athletes with the opportunity to race against swimmers from beyond the national circuit.

Inclusive Sport at the Championships

Special Olympics Malta’s participation was a notable feature of the championships. Fourteen athletes — eight men and six women — competed in 24 individual events and two relay entries, reflecting the ongoing integration of Special Olympics athletes into mainstream competitive swimming at national level.

A Strong Close to the Season

With two age group records broken, a medal table topped convincingly by Neptunes WPSC, and a combined total of 1,870 individual and relay entries across 17 clubs, the COOP Services National Long Course Championships 2025/26 represented a fitting and well-attended conclusion to the long course season.

Coach education sits at the foundation of any well-functioning sporting system. Without qualified, knowledgeable coaches working at grassroots level, the pathway from first participation to sustained athletic development becomes harder to sustain. It was in this context that Malta hosted the in-person component of the inaugural European Aquatics Level 1 Swimming Coaches’ Course from 26 to 28 June 2026, with sessions taking place at the National Pool Complex in Gżira.

The course was organised by European Aquatics, the governing body for aquatic sports across the continent in collaboration with SportMalta, represented the first edition of a structured qualification pathway designed to establish a consistent standard for swimming coaches at entry level. It formed part of the European Aquatics Strategic Plan 2024–2030, which places education and coach development at the centre of the organisation’s long-term priorities. SportMalta supported the hosting of the in-person component locally, reflecting Malta’s active role in European sport development networks and its capacity to facilitate international educational programmes at national-level facilities.

Programme and Delivery

The course was delivered across two phases — online sessions running from April to June, followed by the three-day in-person block in Malta. The in-person sessions were led by two specialist educators: Robin Pla, who delivered modules on Coaching in Swimming and Training Methods and Planning in Swimming across all three days, and Henrique Neiva, who led the Introduction to Training in Swimming module on Friday and Saturday. Sessions ran from morning through to early evening, offering participants an intensive and structured learning experience over the course of the weekend.

The full curriculum covered six modules totalling over 70 hours of content, spanning Sport Science Fundamentals, Introduction to Swimming, Coaching in Swimming, Training Methods and Planning in Swimming, Introduction to Training in Swimming, and the Swim Safe Europe — Learn to Swim module.

Learning Outcomes and Qualification Standards

Participants who completed the course gained a grounding in swimming technique analysis, sport science principles, athlete development frameworks, safeguarding responsibilities, and session planning and delivery. The Level 1 qualification is aimed at those entering coaching, equipping them to assist in planning and delivering swimming sessions and to apply fundamental sport science principles in practice.

Beyond technical knowledge, the course placed emphasis on professional conduct and values — including a commitment to safe practice, inclusion, participant welfare, and continuous self-improvement. Coaches were expected to demonstrate a participant-centred approach and the adaptability required to support swimmers across different stages of development. In doing so, the qualification reflects European Aquatics’ broader ambition to raise coaching standards consistently across its member nations.

The Malta Karate Federation National Championships 2026 took place at the Cottonera Sports Complex over the weekend, bringing together 202 athletes in a competition that celebrated the core values of the sport. Participants ranged in age from five to 45, competing across Kata and Kumite disciplines and representing a broad cross-section of the local karate community. The hard work, commitment, and perseverance that athletes had invested throughout the year were on clear display across both days of competition.

The weekend’s programme reflected the spirit that defines karate at every level: sportsmanship, discipline, respect, and determination. Athletes who had trained consistently throughout the year were given the opportunity to demonstrate their progress in a competitive environment that recognised both technical skill and personal commitment. The varied age range of participants — from young children entering competition for the first time to experienced seniors — underlined the sport’s breadth across generations.

Competition on the Tatami

Competitors took to the tatami across both Kata and Kumite categories, with strong entries in each. Kata events demanded precision, controlled movement, and clarity of form, while Kumite bouts called for tactical awareness and composure under pressure. Together, the two formats offered a comprehensive showcase of what the sport demands from its practitioners at the national level.

The breadth of participation — spanning four decades of age groups — highlighted the inclusive nature of karate and the investment that clubs across Malta have made in developing athletes at all stages. For many younger competitors, the championships represented an important early milestone; for more experienced athletes, an opportunity to continue performing at the highest domestic level.

Looking Ahead to the Small States of Europe Karate Championships

With the national championships concluded, attention turns to an international stage. Malta is set to host the Small States of Europe Karate Championships this October, welcoming nine nations to the island. The event will provide Maltese athletes with the opportunity to compete against counterparts from across the Small States community, testing themselves at the international level while on home ground.

For athletes who performed at this weekend’s national championships, the October event represents a clear and tangible next goal as preparations continue through the summer. The Malta Karate Federation National Championships 2026 provided a strong foundation for the months ahead, and the level of participation and commitment shown across all age groups reflects the continued effort to keep karate active, competitive, and growing in Malta.

Minister for Education and Sport Hon. Byron Camilleri held an open discussion meeting at SportMalta headquarters with stakeholders involved in the traditional Regattas. The meeting formed part of a broader effort to maintain Government support for one of Malta’s long-established sporting traditions.

Those present included representatives from SportMalta, regatta clubs and associations, and members of the committee appointed by the Ministry. The session gave stakeholders the opportunity to set out their views, raise concerns, and put forward proposals relating to the organisation and future direction of the sport.

Topics Discussed

A range of initiatives were presented and debated during the meeting, with discussions centred on the administration of the sport, the drafting of a new statute to provide a clearer regulatory framework, the allocation of boats to clubs, and ways to raise the overall standard and visibility of Regatta events. The exchange was structured around the shared objective of ensuring the sport’s continued development.

Government Position and the Importance of Cooperation

Hon. Minister for Education and Sport Byron Camilleri indicated that the Government intends to maintain its support for the sport and the people involved in it. He noted that resources and assistance would remain available on the condition that club’s approach key decisions collectively and in a constructive spirit. The Minister identified governance, administration, and long-term planning as areas where agreement among clubs would be particularly important.

Youth Development

The development of nurseries and youth participation featured prominently in the discussions. There was general agreement among stakeholders that sustained investment in younger athletes is necessary if the sport is to retain its footing across future generations. Several proposals were put forward aimed at strengthening youth programmes and broadening participation at club level.

Response from Club Representatives

Club representatives expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage directly with the Minister, noting that the meeting had taken place shortly after he assumed office. The session was broadly described as constructive, with participants highlighting the importance of open communication between the authorities and those active in the sport. The willingness of all parties to engage in dialogue was seen as a positive step forward.

SportMalta is proud to be supporting the European Aquatics Water Polo Champions League Final Four, organised by European Aquatics and the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta (ASA), at the National Swimming Complex Tal-Qroqq this week.

For the first time ever, both the men’s and women’s Final Four tournaments will be held at the same venue during the same week. Malta has hosted the men’s Final Four for the past two years, and this year the women’s top clubs join them on the same stage.

Eight of Europe’s best water polo clubs — four men’s and four women’s — will compete from June 10 to 13 for the Champions League title.

Men’s competition

The four men’s clubs competing are Ferencvárosi TC (Hungary), Pro Recco (Italy), Zodiac Atlètic-Barceloneta (Spain) and Olympiacos SFP (Greece).

Ferencváros are the defending champions, having won the title in Malta in both 2024 and 2025. Pro Recco, 11-time European champions, will be looking to stop them from winning a third title in a row. Barceloneta qualified unbeaten from the quarter-finals stage, while Olympiacos clinched their place after winning a penalty shootout against AN Brescia on the last day of qualification.

Women’s competition

The four women’s clubs competing are Ferencvárosi TC (Hungary), Olympiacos Piraeus (Greece), Assolim CN Matarò (Spain) and reigning champions CN Sant Andreu (Spain).

Sant Andreu won the title last year and are back to defend it. In the semi-finals, Ferencváros face Sant Andreu, while Matarò take on Olympiacos. Both Ferencváros and Olympiacos have their men’s and women’s teams in Malta, giving both clubs the chance to win both titles.

Schedule

• Wednesday, June 10 – Women’s Semi-Finals (19:00 and 21:00)
• Thursday, June 11 – Men’s Semi-Finals (19:00 and 21:00)
• Friday, June 12 – Women’s Bronze Medal Match (19:00); Women’s Final (21:00)
• Saturday, June 13 – Men’s Bronze Medal Match (19:00); Men’s Final (21:00) All matches will be played at the National Swimming Complex, Tal-Qroqq.

Tickets are available at www.showshappening.com/Aquatic-Sports-Association-of-Malta/european-aquatics-champions-league-men-women-final-4-malta-2026

Malta’s national push toward a healthier, more active lifestyle reached a resounding peak this past week as the annual Sport Village brought together thousands of participants.

Held from Wednesday, May 20th to Saturday, May 23rd, the four-day event transformed the MFCC in Ta’ Qali into an energetic hub of movement, excitement, and community spirit, emphasizing that sport truly is for everyone.

The event organized by is-Servizz Pubbliku in collaboration with SportMalta, kicked off with a major focus on the island’s youth. From Wednesday through Friday, the Sport Village welcomed thousands of school students. These dynamic sessions were designed to get children moving, encouraging them to work as a team, and giving them the opportunity to have fun while trying out different sports that are not usually accessible within the standard school curriculum.

Interactive stations allowed students to try everything from enhanced traditional team sports to unique individual disciplines. To add to the excitement, students who successfully completed five different sports stations earned access to the virtual reality (VR) sports station or could choose merchandise, perfectly rewarding their physical efforts.

On Friday evening, the focus shifted to the Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) Competition. The competition included participation from trained athletes as well as other local contenders, spanning all ages from children to adults. This event allowed individuals to test their personal fitness and agility on a specially constructed course.

Saturday was dedicated to celebrating inclusive sport, with the Sport Village welcoming participants from the SportMalta ‘Let’s Move’ Programme alongside athletes from Special Olympics Malta. The venue was filled with positive energy as these athletes demonstrated their sports skills and shared their passion for physical activity. Parents also took part in the various fun challenges and exercises alongside their children, highlighting the importance of family teamwork, mutual support, and broader community inclusion.

PPS Event – Ta’ Qali Sports Day

The event concluded on Saturday afternoon with strong participation numbers recorded across all four days of activity. By successfully integrating morning school sports, innovative VR rewards, competitive evening racing, and inclusive weekend programmes for families and athletes of all abilities, this year’s Sport Village effectively promoted the long-term benefits of active living and successfully made physical activity accessible to the entire Maltese community.