Digital Planet, importers and distributors of Panasonic products in Malta, are this year sponsoring the next edition of the 2012 MMBA IOM Open being organised by the Malta Model Boat Association between Thursday and Sunday at Pretty Bay in Birżebbuġa.

This prestigious international competition has this year attracted participation of 25 sailors from five countries namely UK, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany and Malta competing in the event.

This competition is also held in conjunction with the national championships where the top placed local sailor will be declared the national champion.

Auguring the Malta Model Boat Association all the success for this forthcoming competition, Keith Spiteri from Digital Planet noted the professional attitude and the enthusiasm with which the association is organising this event. “Panasonic is nowadays synonymous with the world of sport, any sport really. Suffice to say that besides high level football competitions, Panasonic is this year confirmed as one of the main sponsors of the forthcoming Olympic Games in London. Therefore, this affinity with sport made it natural for us to support this competition,” added Spiteri.

The event, also sponsored by Bank of Valletta, is open to all sailors who belong to their National One Metre Class Association and the event is run under the authority of the Malta Sailing Federation.

As Malta belongs to the International One Metre Class Association the event is advertised throughout Europe at national level.

All boats are radio controlled One Metre class boats.

The venue for this year’s event will be at Pretty Bay, Birzebbuga. Events start at 10am and finish at around 4pm each day. Prizes are awarded to the first five places and every participant is given a memento of the event.