The Minister of Education spoke about the importance of sports among youths as he addressed sportsmen, sportswomen and officials, during a special ceremony on the occasion of the 2006 national sporting contests organised by the Ghaqda Kittieba Sport with the full collaboration of the Maltese Council for Sport.
He said he appreciated the efforts of all those connected with sport whether they were athletes or officials. He added that sport in this country lived and developed through the voluntary work carried out by most sports people. “I publicly thank all associations for their contribution and I encourage them to keep going not only to get positive results, but also to generate a better life for our youths who will become Malta’s leaders in the future. Today we are realising that sports associations are the most significant for our youngsters. If the federations continue to groom more youngsters it would be beneficial to sport in general. We need these new youngsters to continue the development in quality and quantity as well as leadership in sport in future,” he said.
He remarked that the basis of local sport, as was the case abroad, were the athletes, their families and the associations. “The government also provides a contribution as it has to encourage the efforts of these people by helping financially and strengthening the infrastructure,” he remarked.
Dr Galea said the Maltese Council for Sport had allocated the sum of Lm400,000 to sporting associations, among which was a sum of Lm166,000 to the Maltese Olympic Committee. “This sum will help the MOC to prepare the athletes for the forthcoming Small Nations Games. Another sum of Lm172,370 had been forwarded to a number of sports associations through the Good Causes Fund,” he added.
He explained that during the past year, the Maltese Olympic Committee had been given a sum of Lm131,400. The Maltese Council for Sport had also sponsored athletes’ memberships at the Tal-Qroqq fitness centre to the tune of Lm10,000 and it also paid the rent (Lm1,600) for the offices of the Maltese Olympic Committee at Tal-Qroqq.
Among other things, Dr Galea said that during this year, work on a new sports facility at Luqa will get under way. He also said that work on the Kirkop complex will start next month as the tenders have now been evaluated and the contractor selected. When finished, this complex should give more breathing space to associations, as it will be a much needed addition to the local sports infrastructure.
Dr Galea also said a number of meetings had already been held at the Ministry of Finance to discuss the concept of Public Private Partnership, especially with the construction of a new sports complex in the north of the island (at Qawra) in mind. The sporting brief for this complex is ready, said Dr Galea.
The Minister of Education also said that sport in Gozo was also being strengthened thanks to the collaboration of the Ministry for Gozo.
The Gozo Sports co-ordinator has been appointed and now it will soon be time to hold a survey among all Gozitan families in connection with sport.
Dr Galea also announced that his Ministry will also be providing its help to several local organisations this year, among them, the Amateur Swimming Association, the Malta Amateur Athletic Association, the Malta Cycling Federation and the Malta Judo Federation, to hold various events or conferences here.
Near the end of his speech, Dr Galea launched an appeal for a solution to be found to the dispute between the football authorities, i.e., the MFA, and the TV and radio stations, so that the local sporting public will again be provided with the results and reports of local football matches which would, in turn, help to continue the development of this very popular game in Malta.
Finally the Minister congratulated the finalists, adding that they deserved the esteem and admiration of everyone.
Earlier, Maltese Council for Sport chairman Franco Azzopardi also congratulated the finalists of these contests, even though he contended that all those who practised sports were winners.
He said there had been some great development in local sport and went on to thank the Maltese Olympic Committee, the Malta Football Association and the other associations for their collaboration during 2006.
“We have a good relationship with almost all the associations. We want to be of service to one and all,” he said.
Charles Camenzuli, president of the Sportswriters Association said this was the 46th edition since these contests started to be organized on an initiative by journalist Benny Pace, who was also present yesterday.
He also augured success for the finalists who will receive their awards on finals night at the Westin Dragonara Hotel on 27 January.
The finalists
Sportsman of the Year: D. Bezzina (snooker/pool), A. Borg (snooker), W. Chetcuti (shooting), M. Cremona (table football), M. Zammit (triathlon).
Sportswoman of the Year: S. Abela (bowling), M. Bezzina (judo), L. Casha (bowling), R. Madyson (shooting), D. Spiteri (triathlon).
Official of the Year: J. Attard (badminton), T. Camilleri (snooker), Antonio Mizzi (basketball), J. Giordemaina (wrestling), B. Vassallo (basketball).
Team of the Year: tenpin bowling mixed national team, Team Chaudron (powerboats), Artie crew (sailing), pool national team, triathlon national team.
U-17 Athlete of the Year (John Debattista Trophy): J. Attard (shooting), M. Asciak (tennis), D. Borg (athletics), F. Xuereb (athletics), M. Xuereb (athletics).