Investment in 31 specialised frames for children with disabilities, to be able to play football

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.