Minister Galea outlines Government’s priorities for Maltese sport in 2005
The Minister for Education, also responsible for Sport, Dr Louis Galea, yesterday outlined Government’s priorities for sport this year.
He was making his annual policy speech during the presentation of certificates and tokens to all the finalists in the national sporting contests for 2004.
Dr Galea said it was only fair that such athletes and officials were given due reward and recognition for the feats and sacrifices they went through the past year to ensure the development of sport on these islands.
The Minister said it was also on such an occasion that the government’s policy on sport was outlined.
He spoke of the principles, to be found in the sports law, article 3, which should be taught and practised in all schools.
This says that physical education and sport are to be given their due importance and that there should be no discrimination in sport. The States recognises the fact that everyone should have the opportunity to take part in sport, especially in activities which respect the dignity of human beings.
He emphasised that thousands of Maltese were keen sports enthusiasts and a good number practise sport or take part in a physical activity in one way or another.
He also said that the Maltese Council for Sport had been set up, among other things, to increase efficiency in the administration of the government facilities.
He said: “The Council has worked hard throughout the past two years, during which 224 meetings with associations, clubs and others were held. Sixty seven requests out of 83 for special leave for sport purposes had been approved and 115 permits had been issued to athletes and coaches from abroad.
“Last June, Parliament approved the transfer on lease of 26 more sports facilities to sporting societies and it is a fact that a massive use is being made of the sports facilities now available, including those to be found at Gozo, Cottonera, University, National Pool and Marsa. The total subsidy for the use of these facilities from the part of the government amounted to more than Lm73,000,” said Dr Galea.
The Minister said there were several problems which had to be surmounted if we were to have a healthier society in future. “From a study by Rose Ann Gatt B.ED (Hons) Dip(PE) RSA (UK), 2004, it is noted among other things that around 26 per cent of students in primary and secondary schools, especially government schools, were physically inactive and a massive 89.8 per cent did not take part whatsoever in any physical activity after school hours. It was noted that men were more active than women and 81 per cent of those surveyed (1909) had replied that they would like to take part in a sport or a physical activity.
“We are still lagging far behind other countries where physical education is concerned. We must start with an encouragement programme now in the hope that by the year 2010 20 per cent of our population would at least be doing 30 minutes of physical activity five times a week and this percentage must go up to 50 per cent by 2020. That means we would then be on the same levels obtainable at present in the UK, more or less,” he said.
Dr Galea emphasised that the government wanted more and more people from all sectors to take part in a sports or physical activity as it was aware of its importance. “We do not only need to have healthy citizens. We also want to do well in sporting disciplines and, above all, continue winning medals in sport,” he said.
In this sense, the government will be working first with students attending its schools. “We want all children to take part in sport or any physical activity. By the year 2010, we must assure that 75 per cent of our children between five and 16 years in primary and secondary schools would be doing two hours of physical exercises a week. By 2015, the programme must be increased by one hour, to three hours, and the number of students to 100 per cent.
“MCAST and the University also have to issue credits for sport while the KMS will have to see, together with MCAST, that those training the children will be qualified with the required certificates. It is also important that by the year 2010, all the facilities at government schools would still be in use after school hours, first and foremost by the pupils attending that school and then the youths and the community in that locality,” he said.
Among other things outlined by the Minister were the Karwija Sports Complex and the other complex to be constructed in the north of the island. “These also have to be completed in three years’ time with the involvement of the private sector,” said the Minister.
He said this year the government would be taking serious measures against doping in sport. It would continue providing funds for the testing of athletes against such abuse.
Looking back at the last three years, government spent about Lm5 million on sport and in the year 2005, it has voted the sum of Lm1.480,000, which is Lm40,000 fewer than the past year, and that included the funds for the Maltese Council of Sport, which were then passed on to the federations.
Concluding, Dr Galea said it was not right for sports to remain the domain of those interested in it only. Neither was it right to remain the responsibility of the Minister of the day, whoever it was. He said: “We have to work together with the Ministry of Health, Social Policy, the Interior and Tourism, as well as with the Prime Minister, to ensure that our aims in economy, education and environment are reached satisfactorily.”
The president of the Sportswriters Association, Charles Camenzuli, also made a short introductory address, during which he asked everyone to observe one minute’s silence in memory of Charles Mifsud, former president of the Weightlifting Federation, who passed away recently.
Mifsud is, in fact, one of the finalists in the Officials’ contest.
Camenzuli spoke about the association which is this year celebrating its 35th anniversary. He also announced that as from this year, it will be awarding a prize to one of its members who will qualify for a career in sport.
He also said the association was glad that there were 15 associations represented by the 25 finalists. He augured everyone a successful 2005.
The chairman of the Maltese Council for Sport, Franco Azzopardi, was another speaker.
He congratulated the Sportswriters Association for the organisation of this now traditional event, describing it as a manifestation organised hand in hand by the operators, the followers and the journalists in the name of sports.
He also felt it was an opportune moment to announce that his council will be launching a new initiative – promotion of journalism among children. It will be a sort of competition in sports photography and reportage details of which will be given later.
The finalists of the 45th edition of the contests
The finalists in all the categories were announced yesterday by the Sportswriters Association which, once again is organising this event.
They had been started by journalist Benny Pace in 1960 and are now in their 45th edition.
Sportsman of the Year: Mario Aquilina (sailing), Alex Borg (snooker), William Chetcuti (shooting), Stefan Giglio (football), Darren Gilford (athletics).
Sportswoman of the Year: Sue Abela (bowling), Melissa Anastasi (bowling), Lisa Camenzuli (tennis), Angela Galea (swimming), Maria Mifsud Bonnici (triathlon).
Team of the Year: Basketball – national women’s team; Sailing – Elusive crew (Middle Sea Race); Rugby – national team; Snooker – national team; Bowling – national team.
Official of the Year: Robbie Ebejer (waterpolo); Envic Galea (Judo), Charles Mifsud (weightlifting), Dr Joseph Mifsud (football), Peter Valentino (sailing).
Under 17 athlete: Matthew Asciak (tennis), Benji Borg (sailing), Tiziana Carannante (bowling), Divinia Mangion (swimming), Roderick Muscat (cycling).
Disabled athletes: Daniela Borg and Stephen Fenech (both of the Malta Wheelchair Dance Sport Association).
The finals night is to be held at the Radisson SAS Resort in Pembroke on 29 January. It is to be televised live.