Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima and Minister for Tourism and Public Cleanliness Clayton Bartolo address a press conference regarding the Waterpolo Champions League Men Final 4
‘Pixxina Nazzjonali, Tal-Qroqq, MsidaMalta, May 28, 2024 – The anticipation for the Waterpolo Champions League Final 2024 is building, as a press conference held today officially launched the event. Karl Izzo, President of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, expressed his enthusiasm for water polo and Maltese sports, urging spectators to join in and support the event.

“I have a profound love for water polo and Maltese sport. I encourage everyone to come out and support this prestigious event,” Izzo stated, highlighting the significance of the tournament for the local sports community.

Izzo extended his gratitude to SportMalta, emphasizing the pivotal role played by its CEO, Mark Cutajar, in making the event possible. “We couldn’t have achieved this without the unwavering support of SportMalta and the leadership of Mark Cutajar,” he added.

Hon. Clayton Bartolo, Minister for Tourism, praised the collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry for Sport, led by Hon. Clifton Grima. “This event showcases the fruitful cooperation between our ministries, which ultimately benefits Maltese sport and tourism,” Bartolo remarked.

Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima and Minister for Tourism and Public Cleanliness Clayton Bartolo address a press conference regarding the Waterpolo Champions League Men Final 4
‘Pixxina Nazzjonali, Tal-Qroqq, Msida

Minister Clifton Grima echoed these sentiments, thanking everyone involved in the organization of the event. “The dedication and hard work of all parties involved are truly commendable. This event is a testament to our commitment to promoting sports in Malta,” Grima said.

Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima and Minister for Tourism and Public Cleanliness Clayton Bartolo address a press conference regarding the Waterpolo Champions League Men Final 4
‘Pixxina Nazzjonali, Tal-Qroqq, Msida

The Waterpolo Champions League Final promises to be a landmark event, celebrating the sport and fostering a sense of community among spectators and participants alike.

The European Aquatics Men’s Champions League Final Four, the highest event in the clubs’
water polo calendar, will take place in Malta from 5th to 7th June 2024. This prestigious
competition, which Malta will host for the next three years, is not just a sporting event but a
significant milestone that will shape the island’s sports culture and infrastructure, leaving a
lasting legacy.
The tournament will showcase top European water polo teams in high-stakes matches,
including two semi-finals and two finals at the National Pool Complex in Tal-Qroqq.
Competing teams include the record-holding Pro Recco (ITA), the reigning European
champions for the third consecutive year; Novi Beograd (SRB), runners-up in the last two
editions and hosts of the previous three Final Eight tournaments; Ferencvaros (HUN), the
2019 champions; and Olympiacos, the Greek powerhouse and two-time Champions League
winners.
As part of the event, a sports village will be established at the venue’s entrance to enhance
the spectators’ experience. The village will open at 17:00, while the first semifinal will kick off
at 19:00 and the second semifinal at 21:00. The third and fourth place and the grand final will
be played on 7th June at the same times.
The Ministry responsible for Sport and the Aquatic Sports Association have expressed keen
interest in organising this event. Their successful bid for the 2024 to 2026 editions is a
testament to Malta’s growing prowess in the sport on an international level. The commitment
to host such a high-profile tournament underscores Malta’s ambition to cement its position
in sports tourism and increase its visibility within the global sporting community.
The event will be broadcast across various international television networks and amplified
through strong social media engagement, ensuring a broad European audience. Already, five
international broadcasters have confirmed that they will be transmitting the event.

The European Aquatics Men’s Champions League Final Four is not just an opportunity for
sports fans to witness top-tier water polo. It’s a chance for the local community to be part of
an international event, to feel the excitement, and to contribute to its success. Volunteers
and local businesses, this is your moment to shine and show your support for the sport and
your community!
The very last tickets are on sale through the Aquatic Sports Association website,
www.asaofmalta.eu. Due to security reasons, tickets will not be sold at the door.

As the festival concluded, the Aquatic Sports Association reiterated its commitment to promoting swimming as a vital aspect of health, fitness, and community engagement. With initiatives like the Under 12s Swimming Festival, the future of aquatic sports in Malta looks promising.

The running community in Malta experienced an unrivalled event on Wednesday, 13th March, at the Marsa Sports Complex, as a well-known sporting goods supplier collaborated to bring forth a seminar of unparalleled significance, supported by SportMalta.

This exclusive gathering was graced by the presence of none other than Gelindo Bordin, the legendary Italian long-distance runner whose name resonates with triumph and perseverance. Gelindo Bordin, renowned for his historic victory at the 1988 Seoul Olympics in the marathon event, stood as a beacon of inspiration for the assembled enthusiasts.

Participants were enlightened on optimal preparation techniques, dietary considerations, and tailored exercise regimes, laying the groundwork for success in the demanding realm of long-distance running.

Among the distinguished attendees was SportMalta’s Chairman, Matthew Pisani, whose presence underscored the significance of this event. His unwavering support, alongside that of SportMalta, paved the way for an unforgettable experience for all involved.

During a press conference Caritas Malta conveyed information about the second edition of Caritas Run For Life, which entered the Caritas calendar as an annual physical activity.

The second edition of Caritas Run For life, will take place on May 12^th 2024 – a run or walk from the San Blas Therapeutic Center in Zebbuġ and back.

10 Km race – 5 Km race – 4Km walk and 1Km race for children between 6 and 9 years and 2.5km race for children between 10 and 13 years.

Caritas Malta believes that in our society everyone – children, adolescents, young people, adults and the elderly – needs opportunities where one can experience the beauty of living and living a healthy life away from substances and all that which hinders man from living with his full dignity.

The Director of Caritas Malta, Mr. Anthony Gatt thanked the many who are supporting the second edition of Caritas Run For Life, as it is an activity that includes a lot of logistics and preparations.

He started by mentioning two particular experiences that hit him immensely after last year’s activity; a person who came up to him and told him that she had never done any physical activity and it was precisely Caritas Run For Life that gave her a push and started moving and since then she continued to get involved in physical activities, and another person, a rehabilitation client in one of the houses of Caritas Malta who expressed that she never imagined that a wonderful activity like Caritas Run For Life would give you that healthy pleasure without needing substances.

“The feeling of repeating it has two objectives – last year’s great competition because it encourages a healthy life and also the element of fundraising. Caritas Malta is in favor of a healthy life and for about 35 years has been dealing with the reality of substances that dominate people in addiction. Even today we face the reality of cannabis and cocaine as substances that are entering more and more into our society; laxity that puts young people at risk and people who find in drugs alienation and escape from life. Currently 58 residents are doing a residential therapeutic program in one of Caritas Malta’s homes. Last year over 750 people came for help together with over 550 people related to someone with problematic drug use. Apart from direct aid, prevention is an important task and Caritas Run for Life is part of the prevention strategy. For us this means promotion for a healthy life away from drugs. When one takes care of one’s health even the health services system goes well”. This is what the director of Caritas explained, while he also spoke about the importance of fundraising to support the services offered by Caritas Malta, which are all free of charge. He ended by thanking Sportmalta who give continuous support throughout the year to Caritas Malta’s residential homes, St Patrick’s Athletic Club collaborators in logistics, The Convenience Shop as the main sponsor for the support that Caritas has always found when it loved the door, Enemed, GO & Fun isotonic sport drink, Eurosport, Garmin, Mediterrenean College of Sport who support the training of residents, GS Health and Safety, Toto Perżuta Carnival Company, Malta Public Transport, Malta Police Force, LESA, to the Council of Zebbug, St John Ambulance and Rescue, and Pen 2 paper.

SportMalta representative, Ms Rose Marie Mercieca, spoke about the importance of a person moving. The lack of physical activity brings about non-communicable diseases which can be avoided if one keeps oneself active.

“That is SportMalta’s mission. SportMalta works hand in hand with Caritas Malta, in fact in addition to the contribution in Caritas Run For Life, SportMalta gives continuous support throughout the year to residents in rehabilitation homes. When you work with these clients you realize the beauty that through sport we can give dignity back to the person. This activity was very successful, in fact last year’s number of participants  exploded and I have no doubt that it will happen again in this second edition of Caritas run for life,” she concluded.

Mr Ray Spiteri President of St Patrick’s Athletic Club said that the club feels honored that they will once again give assistance to Caritas Malta. “We learned a lot after the first experience of Caritas Run For Life and we will continue to improve this second edition. We have created more categories in the different ages between 30 and 70 years old who can win a trophy for first, second and third place. We responded to those who attended the walk and felt that 2.5km was a short walk and we increased it to 4km, and we will also add more security to our roads. The 10km and 5km will remain the same. We have also added a trophy in recognition of that club or school that will have the most people registered on its behalf participating.” Mr. Spiteri explained this while encouraging clubs and OCR’s to encourage their athletes to attend even with the chance of this trophy.

Mr. Andrew Attard the Executive Assistant to the Director of The Convenience Shop explained that from the very beginning The Convenience Shop believed in this activity and the many beauties it brings. “It is an activity that feels like it has been happening for many years and it is not that it is its 2nd edition. The Convenience Shop strongly believes in being behind Caritas as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility. This is the human aspect of being close to people who are so in need – drugs are so addictive more than ever, so we have to invest more in people through physical activities. As a company we encourage more companies to do as we did and together with their workers register to attend Caritas Run For Life and be proactive in something so great and beautiful together.” Mr. Attard concluded while also encouraging employers to, like The Convenience Shop do, be ready to reintegrate people back into the world of work in a job as soon as they complete a program because work gives dignity and restores ‘ be welcomed in society.

One can apply through the link www.caritasmalta.org/event/

Have you ever wondered what the traditional mark laying before a sailing regatta, involves? Well in this article you will learn that it is not just a question of leaving a buoy on the water for sailors to go round during a race.  

In the world of sailing regattas, the art of mark laying emerges as a pivotal element, orchestrating the creation of a challenging yet equitable course. This meticulous process involves strategic positioning of markers, considering factors like wind direction and strength. Coordination with the Race Committee, precise placement of starting and finishing marks, and the deployment of windward and leeward markers contribute to the seamless execution of the regatta. Adapting to wind shifts, ensuring safety through well-anchored marks, and transparent communication with competitors enhance the overall racing experience. The mark laying procedure, with its vigilant monitoring during races and diligent post-race retrieval, serves as the unsung hero, guaranteeing the integrity and excitement of every sailing competition. 

You might realize that all this needs special skills and most of all, it is time consuming. The Malta Sailing Federation explored the market to mitigate this situation. In the realm of maritime technology, the advent of GPS buoys marks a significant stride in enhancing navigation precision and facilitating scientific exploration. These buoys are ingeniously designed with integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, enabling real-time tracking of their exact geographical coordinates. Widely applied in marine navigation, oceanography, and environmental monitoring, GPS buoys play a pivotal role in capturing a dynamic snapshot of our oceans. Beyond mere location tracking, these buoys often incorporate additional sensors to gather valuable data on factors like water temperature, salinity, and weather conditions. This comprehensive information, transmitted to central monitoring stations or accessed remotely, not only bolsters maritime safety but also fuels scientific research and environmental stewardship. The GPS buoy, a beacon of technological innovation, stands as a crucial tool in unraveling the mysteries of our vast and intricate oceans.                 

SportMalta, through its NDSF funds, purchased a set of these buoys which according to the President of the Malta Sailing Federation, Michael Mifsud, were a game changer for the world of dinghy sailing in Malta. 

The GPS buoys were blessed today by Fr Ruben, the Chaplin of Birżebbuġa, at the Birżebbuġa Sailing Club, where an international regatta is taking place.  

Vice-Chairman of SportMalta, Matthew Pisani, said that SportMalta is always willing to assist sport organizations and said that he was impressed by the dedication of the young talent present at the venue. 

Honorable Clifton Grima, who officially presented the GPS Buoys to the Malta Sailing Federation, said that the he was glad that the equipment would not just facilitate the work of the numorous volunteers, but also they continue to assist this sport to be even more environmentally sustainable.             

SportMalta is also assisting the sailing clubs, members of the Malta Sailing Federation with a high standard motor dinghy each, which vessels are highly efficient during regattas with their special specifications to fit the purpose. 

Following the successful conference Celebrating Sport in Malta held last week, SportMalta wrote another important page in its history with Prime Minister Robert Abela accompanied by Minister for Sport Clifton Grima and SportMalta CEO Mark Cutajar inaugurated a €5.5 million Complex in Marsa.

This new development inaugurated is another complex in a chain of facilities that SportMalta has been constantly constructing for the benefit of the sporting community in Malta. 

After various upgrades of existing facilities in the surroundings, which included the 1^st and 2^nd phase of the Marsa Athletics’ Stadium as well as the restoration of the 1903 building, it is also yet another project out of a series of projects within the upgrade of the Marsa Sports Complex, in line with this Government’s vision, and plan, for the creation of the comprehensive Marsa Sports’ Village.

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The new complex was constructed to replace an existing derelict building which was constructed in the 1990s and never utilised. On Ground Floor, it houses a multi-purpose hall with sprung flooring that can be used for various activities. There are also changing rooms with showers and various rooms providing office space for Malta Netball Association, Malta Rugby Union, Malta Softball and Baseball Association and Malta Gymnastics Federation. It also provides meeting rooms to accommodate the needs of the clubs and federations as well as SportMalta’s own management of the Marsa Complex. On the first floor then, within the glass paned steel structure which complements distinctively the surrounding natural environment and the historic 1903 building, the complex has a 900 square metre floor area to accommodate Gymnastics and other sport.  The facility has a minimum clear height of 9 metres, serving well the regulatory requirements of the discipline, as well as a wooden sprung flooring covering the whole area. The complex also has various installations of gymnastics’ apparatus such as spring flooring, uneven bars, beam, parallel bars, etc. It also houses a spectator stand which can accommodate up to 300 seated persons, making this facility suitable to be used for competitions occasionally, thus providing our athletes with adequate space to showcase their performance of the discipline further to being a dedicated training venue, which without doubt, will be of the greatest benefit to the sport and our athletes.

Prime Minister Robert Abela referred to the determination of the children he met in this sports complex during the inauguration, and their desire to roam in the sport. Here, he reiterated that the Government would continue to invest in them because we want them to be able to aspire in Malta as much as any child from another country. “That is what we want for our children, that is the result of the work we are doing so that this is the guarantee we give them.”

He concluded that we also give this same guarantee to our communities, with projects like this one, which in its design uses the principle that from the investment in the new facilities, the community also benefits, which today from a building that had been abandoned since the year it was built, has a sports facility of the highest level together with a multipurpose hall that you can use.

 “This is our vision for the communities. Healthy, vibrant, well-served, inclusive, clean and beautiful communities. Therefore, we are investing in communities more than ever, whatever the sector. I believe, however, that the sports sector beyond the sports facilities is also a reflection of the values ​​and aspirations we embrace as a community, as a country. We must continue to build a Malta where sport is not only a career or a hobby, but also remains a source of pride, of national unity and of inspiration not only for today’s generations but also for those of tomorrow.”

Minister Clifton Grima looked at the work being done with an unprecedented investment in this sports hub, part of a national plan for this sector and said, “It is part of our vision to make this the sports hub complex, which includes facilities for various sports disciplines and of the best level. A vision through which we are aiming for our country to have sports facilities of international standards that serve as a foundation for the sports industry. In this way, we will not only continue to put our country’s name on the world sports map, but attract investment to our country, also through sports tourism.”

The CEO of SportMalta, Mark Cutajar, said that in the last ten years, SportMalta has grown, in terms of facilities and human resources, both in terms of training and knowledge. “SportMalta has fully looked at the present strategy, one of the foundations of which is the sports facilities, and is developing these plans into a reality of the best level in order to accommodate athletes of various disciplines, the sports associations and to the general public.”  During the opening over 50 athletes of the SportMalta OntheMove Academy were the first to perform in a display prepared with their coaches for this event.  Sport Promotion Unit within SportMalta also invited over 200 students from the National Sport School and Marsa Primary who took part in activities related to fitness and gymnastics.