The announcements by the Malta Football Association that its leagues and competitions were to be sponsored by the Bank of Valletta and Maltco Lotteries provided a big sigh of relief.

That has now been coupled with the news that the waterpolo leagues are to be sponsored.

Such steps are to be commended and these are certainly a big boost for local sport in general.

Also recently, there was the announcement of a go mobile sponsorship for William Chetcuti, but that agreement has now been terminated as the young sportsman was handed a four-year suspended sentence by the Malta Olympic Committee.

I am not commenting on this issue this time. What is certain is that Chetcuti was also bound by contract to the Malta Olympic Committee.

It had been noted in the past few years that sponsorship for sport had dwindled considerably since the days of Rothmans who used to sponsor football and most of the other disciplines.

It is really unfortunate that such a company, which genuinely loved sport and spent almost Lm2 million if not more on Maltese sport, has been 'prevented' from sponsoring sport because 'tobacco and sport are not deemed compatible.'

Yet, since their forced withdrawal, and until a few weeks ago, no local company had managed to take over their role and it became evident that local football clubs and other disciplines were seriously effected as they had to reduce their expenditure and make it more in line with their deducted budget.

Somone told me recently that it is a pity that in Malta, when one goes for a sponsorship for just Lm500, he is given a blunt NO as an answer, while those abroad going for a sponsorship of Lm200,000 may be offered a million!

Well, I must admit that we can never compare local sport with that found abroad. The standards are considerably higher abroad and that is, perhaps, why local companies cannot offer much, even if they can get a very good return for the money they spend.

One must also admit, however, that the lack of sponsorship money is one other major factor behind the lack of success in Maltese sport.

What is being offered at present is certainly not enough to motivate our youngsters to take sport as a career which will provide them with success and satisfaction.

Maltese successful athletes can be easily counted on one's fingers.

One finds that the vast majority of our youngsters are more inclined to visit entertainment centres (Paceville, Bugibba, Marsascala). And it is a pity that I'm told that there is a good number of athletes and players who, unfortunately, frequent these places almost every day. And that is, without any shadow of doubt, another reason for our low standards. I got this information from reliable sources, because I have never been there myself till the early hours of the morning. Yet, it is shocking to hear such news.

But can one really blame these youngsters for such an attitude, if they are not given the right support by those who should know better?

It would be grossly unfair to say that all our youngsters are involved in this entertainment which is not compatible with sport. Of course, it is only the minority of sportsmen and sportswomen who indulge in such 'business'.

But what happened with Rothmans and sport, can also happen with this 'business' and sport.

It is here that the government has to step in to give our youngsters a sporting boost. With next year's budget looming - perhaps later this month - I feel it is only logical that the government, despite the problems it always faces, should consider a bigger budget for sport in line with the real needs of our youngsters. Last year, the amount had been reduced by a considerable chunk and that was somehow accepted because there had been cuts in every sector.

Yet, I keep harping on the importance which should be attached to sport. At present, I feel that Maltese sport is not getting the importance it deserves.

If I am not mistaken, the global sum voted by any government for sport in any one budget so far has never exceeded Lm1 million!

Of course, the government is now bound by an agreement with the Malta Olympic Committee to provide it with funds each year, with the amount increasing or decreasing according to participation in international events.

But the amount is certainly far from what one expects, especially considering the large amounts spent by foreign governments on sport in their countries for the benefit of their sportsmen and sportswomen.

Today we boast a number of good facilities, among them a good football stadium, an athletics track, a swimming pool, multi-purpose halls and a shooting range. However, everyone admits that these are not enough.

But with government reducing its amount for sport and with the lack of general sponsorship, what can one expect in the foreseeable future? Nothing special, expect perhaps, for a further drop in the number of youngsters practising a sport discipline.

If that were to happen, it would be disastrous for Maltese sport. Already one can feel the lack of athletes in various fields of local sport. This major problem arises every time our coaches in the various disciplines have to select their players to choose from, especially at national levels.

And we should do our very best to prevent the above from happening.

Maltese sport needs and deserves help from all quarters. Government (KMS), MOC, associations, clubs, players, athletes, current sponsors, other potential sponsors and the press should get all together and continue with their fight to remain on the right track.

Henry Brincat

Sports Editor

[email protected]