Malta International Airport plc has launched its new ‘Supporting Malta’s Sport’ policy that supports healthier lifestyles through sport for all and will also target the development of young talented athletes who have the potential to succeed in various sports disciplines. The new policy is a most worthwhile initiative that MIA has taken in collaboration with the Maltese Council for Sport (KMS) and the Education Ministry.
Details of the sport policy were announced by Peter Bolech, CEO of Malta International Airport plc and Franco Azzopardi, chairman of the Maltese Council for Sport, in the presence of Minister Louis Galea.
The MIA Youth Development Sport Policy will focus on the most talented athletes or teams within two-age categories – the junior level for athletes aged eight to 14 and the youth level up to the age of 21. It will provide assistance to athletes to develop their skills further with an emphasis on training camps abroad.
The number of athletes benefiting from the scheme could not be announced because it depended on the amount of funds made available.
All national sport associations will be invited to recommend athletes or teams that could potentially benefit from the policy. An Evaluation Committee set up jointly between MIA and the KMS will scrutinise the recommendations and will finally approve the beneficiaries of the scheme.
Bolech said that MIA has committed itself to assist in a number of initiatives for the benefit of Maltese society and sport is one of three areas through which MIA wants to deliver its message – the other areas are culture and the environment. “We firmly believe that by promoting sport, we are increasing interest in the various disciplines, instilling a greater sense of national pride and contributing towards a better and healthier lifestyle.
At the official signing of the agreement, Franco Azzopardi, Chairman of the Maltese Council for Sport, thanked the MIA for their initiative in supporting local sport culture, and added that, in line with the KMS National Strategy for Sports, assistance scheme such as the Youth Development Scheme, which MIA is sponsoring, will focus on the needs of the various sports associations and clubs. KMS will therefore be acting as caretaker, having procured funds on behalf of the organisations.
Funds emanating from private enterprise are extremely important to government agencies, added Mr Azzopardi.
Minister Galea thanked the MIA for its initiative saying that its involvement in the promotion of sport for all is a very important example to all other Maltese industrialists and economic operators. “It is a fact that a lot of funds are involved in advertising and investment in aspects which interest the youth of today, especially leisure. But we cannot forget that sport has a lot of benefits both for health and also in nurturing a positive attitude at life, not to mention life skills. As Minister responsible for these sectors – Youth and Sport – I encourage the local business community to invest with sport organisations in other similar initiatives. Government has invested a lot in sport in these last ten years.... it is really an investment in the education of our children,” concluded Minister Galea.