New Covid-19 Regulations Effective From 10th May:

https://deputyprimeminister.gov.mt/en/health-promotion/covid-19/Documents/mitigation-conditions-and-guidances/Mandatory%20Standards%20for%20Sport%20Activities.pdf

SportMalta will start paying around € 120,000 in operating and gas costs to heat the Neptunes Waterpolo and Swimming Club swimming pool over 3 years.

Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Recreation and Voluntary Organizations Clifton Grima said that through this agreement facilities for alternative swimming pools will be increased in order to continue to meet the growing demand on The National Swimming Pool Complex in Tal-Qroqq, so more clubs and swimmers will have more places to train.

Parliamentary Secretary Grima stressed that through this agreement the lines for public use will be increased. SportMalta will have at its disposal around 30 water polo training slots and around 258 hours in swimming lines per week.

The Chairman of SportMalta Luciano Busuttil, said that this is another agreement that SportMalta is making with various sports associations in Malta and Gozo. He went on to say that SportMalta is working with various sports clubs to make the best use of these resources.

Neptunes WPSC President Matthew Bonello, while thanking the Government for this help, stressed that this agreement will continue to help the club to alleviate the costs involved and thus this swimming pool will be able to be heated during this period.

The building of the Kirkop FC football club has now been transferred to the same club by the Government through an agreement between SportMalta and Kirkop FC. The signing of the agreement was chaired by the Minister for Inclusion and Quality of Life, Julia Farrugia Portelli and the Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Recreation and Volunteering, Clifton Grima.

Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli explained how the priority of this Government is that even children and young people have a better quality of life. Sports are the biggest tool in this regard. She also said that the fact that in a small village such as Kirkop, one will find so many volunteers to lead with dedication various associations, including the football club, fills you with courage, “and it is our duty as a Government to encourage such dedication. We are doing this by signing the contract under which land on which the football stadium and the football club of this village are located will be transferred to the club. ”

Minister Farrugia Portelli added that she is convinced that this will increase the commitment and dedication of the club’s directors for the benefit of the sports field in the village. “We shouldn’t just look at sports through the lens of a hobby, where you spend some time practicing what you love. That sport in itself instills a sense of discipline in those who participate in it, even if indirectly. The mere fact that you have to keep training time, concentrating, practicing a sport discipline such as football collectively are instrumental in developing an individual’s character. What applies to the sports field applies to every area of life, ”said Minister Farrugia Portelli.

She wished Kirkop FC every success in its aspirations, “a success already reflected in what it is offering to the village community, particularly the children and young Koppin.”

Parliamentary Secretary Clifton Grima explained how with this transfer Kirkop FC will have a decent home where they can train their athletes. He went on to say that the Government’s commitment is to continue to fulfill its electoral sports promises. He stated that this Government wants to foster and strengthen the sports culture from an early age.

“As a government, we are aware that in order to do this we need to invest in sports facilities and in the associations themselves, and that is what we are doing today. We believe we must provide the facilities and assistance so that sports clubs can continue to grow and improve their services. After all, it is our children who enjoy it all. This government is committed to investing so that together we can make the next leap in quality. We want every sport to be given the opportunity to flourish, ”said the Parliamentary Secretary.

The Chairman of SportMalta, Luciano Bussuttil stressed “believing in sport means believing in associations, clubs and above all believing in athletes themselves. This agreement, the last in a series of similar concessions, but certainly not the least, is a demonstration of the fact that SportMalta and above all the Government through Parliamentary Secretary Clifton Grima, believe in local sport. SportMalta is committed to being at the forefront of continuing to work with clubs and associations and giving them more resources to grow and enhance sport. ”

Kirkop FC Club President Joseph Farrugia stressed that after many years, the dream of this club will come true. He said that this agreement will be an advance for the Kirkop FC club because through it they will be able to extend their work for more good in the community.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Recreation and Voluntary Organizations Clifton Grima together with the Chief Executive Officer of SportMalta Mark Cutajar, visited the ongoing works on the building known as ‘1903’ and the project of Chain Link Fencing surrounding an extensive part of the site with a total investment of around € 600,000.

Parliamentary Secretary Clifton Grima explained how the Marsa Sports Complex and its surroundings will be transformed into an international level sports hub which will be divided into four zones and will include sports facilities for various sports disciplines including gymnastics and weightlifting.

He stressed that in another area, the land will be used primarily for world-class facilities related to horse racing, equestrian sports, training areas and stables. Ancillary facilities within this area may include grandstand, clubs, assembly and entertainment.

The Parliamentary Secretary said that in another area the land will be related to golf facilities and a golf academy and there will be an area that will include facilities related to the sports disciplines of tennis, squash and cricket.

A record sum for Special Olympics Malta – € 420,000 in direct assistance from SportMalta

At a conference at the National Swimming Pool in Tal-Qroqq, Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli, Parliamentary Secretary Clifton Grima and the President of Special Olympics Malta Dr Lydia Abela chaired the signing of a new agreement between SportMalta and Special Olympics Malta which will lead to SportMalta handing over € 420,000 to Special Olympics Malta over a period of three years.

This agreement will be helping Special Olympics Malta athletes so that they can continue to participate in the International Special Olympics Games and in training camps abroad. In addition, through these funds, Special Olympics Malta will be investing in kits and equipment that it will need from time to time.

At the beginning of her speech, the Minister for Inclusion and Quality of Life Julia Farrugia Portelli congratulated Dr Lydia Abela who has just been appointed President of Special Olympics Malta.

“Through this agreement between this year and the year 2023 Special Olympics Malta will be given € 420,000, a sum that shows a substantial increase on what has been given so far, € 100,000 per year. Very significant is the fact that our country, one of the smallest in the world, will be hosting a world sports event for disabled persons next year, the Special Olympics Games. Significant because it shows that our country is being recognized and appreciated for the way it works and does everything possible to make persons with disabilities feel integrated in society, including in sports. We will be showing that a sporting event of this quality with its protagonists being persons with disabilities is a way towards unity, love and inclusion. People with disabilities will show that they too have an important role to play in unity and love among nations, a role that reflects the principle of inclusion in the society we so strongly believe in,” she said. Minister Farrugia Portelli.

At the end of her speech, Minister Farrugia Portelli thanked all those from Special Olympics Malta who are working hard for the benefit of people with disabilities and promised them that they will continue to find the Government behind them.

Parliamentary Secretary Clifton Grima, while praising Special Olympics Malta for the valuable work done throughout the year, stressed that this work with Special Olympics Malta will bear fruit when in 2022 Malta will be hosting a Special Olympics international event. The Parliamentary Secretary went on to say that the direction of the government is to be a strategic partner of sports associations and federations so that proper planning can be done and thus ensuring stability and work leading to positive change. He concluded that in recent years Special Olympics athletes have achieved various successes both on a sporting level, including in international forums, as well as on a human and personal level where the full development of the person is achieved.

The President of Special Olympics Dr Lydia Abela said that she is proud that together with the National Director of Special Olympics she managed to negotiate with SportMalta the largest financial package for the next three years. The agreement will help Special Olympics in their day-to-day operations and to continue to invest in their athletes and assist them in their development and offer parental support.

Dr. Lydia Abela said that this is an exciting time for Special Olympics and for the whole country, as next year for the first time in 20 years our country will host the international games of Special Olympics. She said that she is certain that as a country we will unite behind our athletes who will continue to honour Malta, and above all make us proud.

SportMalta Chief Executive Mark Cutajar stressed that it is SportMalta’s mission to help create an inclusive society and therefore this contract is of great importance. A contract that will help Special Olympics Malta to be able to reach its objectives more easily, objectives that are not only sporting but also to unleash the potential of every Special Olympics athlete and to support not only the athletes, but also their family. SportMalta is committed that in addition to financial aid, it also helps by hiring a number of specialized coaches to help children in every aspect.

With a fresh design, innovation and accessibility for everyone, SportMalta launched a new website with all its services grouped together.

The site https://sportmalta.mt/ aims to facilitate accessibility for everyone, using the standards issued by the Malta Communications Authority and Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability. This website also offers a number of services under one roof, spread out for all complexes and facilities that fall under SportMalta’s remit.

Apart from various information about SportMalta’s work, these are some of the services available from this site

• Applications for various schemes
• Updated news and information
• General Assistance
• Bookings for sport facilities
• Several SportMalta campaigns
• Tenders and quotations

SportMalta’s CEO said in a comment that both the internet and social media are important tools in all sectors, a website like this one is a must have, and user friendly,  it is inclusive because it offers accessibility for every one.

The winners of the SportMalta Awards Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali were announced on Saturday evening during a live transmission aired on TSN1 as well as several facebook pages.

The 61st edition was a unique one due to the current Covid-19 pandemic situation in that it was not one in which finalists and guests could interact socially. Instead a virtual ceremony was held within the guidelines of the legal notice issued recently by the Malta Health Authorities.

Guest speakers during this transmission included Hon. Clifton Grima Parliamentary Secretary responsible from Sport, Recreation and Voluntary Organisations, Dr Luciano Busuttil Chairman SportMalta, CEO SportMalta Mark Cutajar and Sandro Micallef President of the Malta Sports Journalists Association.

Once again this annual awards ceremony was a joint collaboration between the Malta Sports Journalists Association and SportMalta with the backing of the Government Sport Secretariat.

During the live show hosted by Lorraine Cunningham and Chris Cauchi a total of 11 honours were announced seven of which were a result of the jury vote. The other awards were one due to a popular vote by the public, one the choice of the Executive Committee of the Malta Sports Journalists Association and the other two were given out upon a nomination by Special Olympics.

The honours were won as follows:

Sportsman of the Year – DEJAN GRECH (Eight Ball Pool)

Sportswoman of the Year – HALEY BUGEJA (Football)

Male Sports Youth of the Year – RICHARD SCHULTHEIS (Sailing)

Female Sports Youth of the Year – TENISHIA THORNTON (Weightlifting)

Sports Team of the Year – MALTA NATIONAL FEMALE FOOTBALL TEAM (Football)

Sports Coach of the Year – DEVIS MANGIA (National Men Football Team Coach)

Sports Official of the Year – JOSEPH MUSCAT (General Secretary Malta Basketball Association)

International Sports Event of the Year – EIGHT BALL POOL EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

People’s Choice Award  – MARK MARLOW (President Malta Employees Sport Association)

Special Olympics Male Athlete Award – MARK SERGE (Ten Pin Bowling)

Special Olympics Female Athlete Award – KLARA ZAMMIT (Open Water Swimming)

The Executive Committee of the Sports Journalists Association is officially publishing the list of semi-finalists of this year’s edition of SportMalta Awards – Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali.

Following the end of the nomination process by the local Associations and Federations, the Executive Committee of the Sports Journalists Association made its assessment of the sporting achievements during the year 2020 and came up with the list of six semi-finalists in each category.

Meanwhile, the voting process has started by all the members of the Sports Journalists Association who have until Wednesday 3^rd March to shortlist all the categories for three finalists.

The Finalists will eventually be announced on Saturday 6^th March at 10:30 am via a Press Conference which will be broadcast live on Facebook on the Malta Sports Journalists Association and BeActive SportMalta page.

The final evening of the 61st edition of SportMalta Awards – Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali will be held on Saturday 13^th March where a panel of journalists will be voting to determine who will get the honours of the Sportiv tas-Sena, Sportiva tas-Sena, Żagħżugħ tas-Sena, Żagħżugħa tas-Sena, Uffiċċjal tas-Sena, Coach tas-Sena and Team tas-Sena.

SPORTIV TAS-SENA

FARRUGIA LUKE – ATHLETICS

GATT RODNEY – HORSE RACING

GREEK DEJAN – POOL

PLUMPTON BEN – WATERPOLO

SAYWELL JEREMY – JUDO

SPITERI MARK – TEN PIN BOWLING

SPORTIVA TAS-SENA

ABELA SUE – TEN PIN BOWLING

BUGEJA HALEY – FOOTBALL

CLARK FRANCESCA – BADMINTON

GATT SACHA – SWIMMING

RICHARD JANET – ATHLETICS

ZAMMIT STEVENS YAZMIN – WEIGHTLIFTING

ŻAGĦŻUGĦ TAS-SENA

BORG RYLEE – WEIGHTLIFTING

GATT JEREMY MARK – BADMINTON

LAGANA KAYDEN – TEN PIN BOWLING

SCHULTHEIS RICHARD – BURNING

SCHULZE DOERING LAURENS – GOLF

SULTANA KIJAN – SQUASH

ŻAGĦŻUGĦA TAS-SENA

BUGEJA HALEY – FOOTBALL

CHOUHAL SARAH – ATHLETICS

CLARK FRANCESCA – BADMINTON

GATT SASHA – SWIMMING

THORNTON TENISHIA – WEIGHTLIFTING

VELLA CLARK TARA – GYMNASTICS

COACH TAS-SENA

AQUILINA JOSEPH – POOL

BEREHOVA NATALYA – GYMNASTICS

CARUANA JESMOND – WEIGHTLIFTING

CARUANA DINGLI EDWARD – PARALYMPIC SWIMMING

MANGA DEVIS – FOOTBALL

PISANI DORIAN – WATERPOLO

OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR

AZZOPARDI RITA – WATERPOLO

CASSAR PIERRE – FIGHT

DEGIORGIO VINCENT – POOL

GRECH ANDY – ATHLETICS

MUSCAT JOSEPH – BASKETBALL

ZAMMIT GODWIN – BURNING

TEAM TAS-SENA

FOOTBALL – WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM

FUTSAL – LUXOL ST. ANDREWS

EMBODIMENT – ELUSIVE II

POOL – MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM

TEN PIN BOWLING – TIM AMF PROMOTION CUP FRANCE

WATERPOLO – ST. JULIAN ASC

In the presence of the minister for Inclusion and Quality of Life the Hon Julia
Farrugia Portelli and the Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, Recreation and
Voluntary Organizations the Hon Dr. Clifton Grima, the government through
SportMalta signed a contract wherein the land on which store number 36,
Barriera Wharf, Valletta has been transferred to the Birżebbuġa
Regatta Club.

Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli said how “this Government believes that sport is
one of the contributors for a better quality of life. In fact, this year we are
investing €13 million in projects and capital investment in sports, to give young
people the best platforms to practice different disciplines”. She mentioned
that after years of waiting, this project will make a big difference for the
Birżebbuġa Regatta Club rowers, who now can now train at the Grand Harbour
itself, therefore on the actual elements and currents in which the regatta takes
place. She concluded by saying that “our country is very fortunate to find many
volunteers to run sports entities amongst others. If it wasn’t for them it would
not have been easy for such entities not only to be initiated but to continue.
Therefore it is the duty of the Government to do everything possible to assist
this voluntary work.”

Parliamentary Secretary Dr. Clifton Grima explained how through this transfer
Regatta Club Birżebbuġa will have a store where they can keep their boats. He
went on to say that the Government’s commitment is to continue to fulfil its
electoral sports promises. He stated that this Government wants to adopt and
strengthen a sports culture from an early age. “As a Government, we are aware
that to do this we need to invest in sports facilities and associations
themselves, and that’s what we’re doing today. We believe in giving facilities
and help so that sports clubs can continue to grow and improve their services,
ultimately our children will gain and enjoy it all. This Government is committed
in investing so together we do another leap in quality. We want every sport to
be given the opportunity to flourish” said the Parliamentary Secretary.

Dr Luciano Busuttil, SportMalta Chairman reminded that this land donation
process boosts sports associations to continue to grow and attract more
youngsters and children to sport. When a club is given land, it is given autonomy to grow without other direct help by attracting investment.
Birżebbuġa Regatta Club president, Mr. Ian Farrugia described this event as a
dream come true, through which the club is looking forward to continuing
offering the best training necessary, now more than before since the land has
been transferred to them. This Government is committed to carry out various
projects for the benefit of several sport disciplines, while encouraging
organizations to get up and strengthen so to give athletes all the space to

develop and excel in sports.