Joint statement by Transport Malta and SportMalta 17 February 2022

Safety and protection of athletes are a priority at the SportMalta Charity Marathon on 6 th March. The
safety and protection of athletes is an absolute priority in the SportMalta Charity Marathon which is
being held in collaboration with Transport Malta. This was stated during a press conference in the
offices of Transport Malta by the Executive Chairman of Transport Malta Joseph Bugeja and the
Chief Executive Officer of SportMalta Mark Cutajar. This marathon will be held with the support of
Athletics Malta also since this is a competitive activity. The SportMalta Charity Marathon will take
place on March 6, 2022. Joseph Bugeja stated that he felt the need to hold two meetings with the
marathon organizers to discuss the need for minimum changes in the route, as has happened in
previous cases. Mr Bugeja explained that the request to the Authority to hold this competition at
national level was submitted only a few weeks ago. He said that in the face of such submissions, the
priority for the Authority would be to safeguard road safety, the safety of athletes, emergencies, and
the needs of public transport. He referred to the meeting held with the Traffic Management
Committee which includes all stakeholders including the Police, Civil Protection and the Department
of Health during which they approved the route of the SportMalta Charity Marathon. This same
route was suggested to the Malta Marathon organizer.

He said that was why it was decided that in collaboration with SportMalta and with respect to the
training of athletes, this marathon will continue with an effort between the two entities. SportMalta
Chief Executive Officer Mark Cutajar said that the aim of the entity is to facilitate sports activities
both nationally and internationally. He mentioned that he was in contact with the Malta Marathon
organizer to give his suggestions to the Health Authorities to change the protocols, which protocols
have been changed, but this too was not acceptable to the organizer. He said that together with the
organizer he had a meeting with Transport Malta, in which meeting the organizer did not accept the
proposed minimum changes. He mentioned that with the help of the associations and clubs
registered with SportMalta, a collective effort is being made to keep this marathon running
smoothly. He reiterated that SportMalta never enters competition with associations and individuals
but rather incentivizes them through a fund of half a million euros to attract sports activities to our
country. Both entities have invited everyone who wants to contribute to come forward, including
the organizer of the Malta Marathon, so that March 6 will once again be a celebration of sport and
national unity. The route that the athletes will take along with the registration application will be
published in the next few hours.