Parliamentary Secretary for Sport Chris Agius has launched a White Paper that puts forward a number of recommendations promoting the regulation of commercial projects implemented within sports facilities in Malta and Gozo.

Government felt the need to regularise the position of a number of sports associations, while allowing them to become self-sufficient, he said.

If this doesn't pass through, he fears that many associations would close due to high expenditure costs.

"Since 1997, government has been able to transfer public land to sports organisations to practice their sport. This system was regularised in 2002, through the introduction of Sports legislation".

"Contracts on this basis include a clause that states the land given can only be used for sport, and that there cannot be any financial gain from, aside from funds earned through a members bar. Government would enter into agreements with clubs, and payments requested would receive a 98% subsidy on their ground rent".

While these concessions helped sport organisations make considerable advances, many said that the system doesn't really help with self-sustainability, he said, "even if they would draw up long-term plans in order to have a professional setup".

This White Paper, he explained, will be a simple yet effective tool by which such organisations could address their income.

The White Paper is currently open for public consultation until the end of March 2016.

More information available here.