“Sport plays a very important part in the character formation of children. The Maltese people must make it a point that their children take part in sports events organised for them in the various local councils’ sport centres,”

Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Harry Vassallo said yesterday. Speaking at an activity held in Safi, Dr Vassallo said that “it would make sense for the local councils to invest in facilities which cater for the needs of those people who practice the less common sports.”

AD councillors will work so that sport is given the highest priority by the respective local councils, said Dr Vassallo. The AD chairman also complained about “the national obsession with converting all open spaces into building sites to the detriment of outdoor activities which can be practiced by all residents. A case in point is the building of the school hall for the Safi Primary, which was built on an open space adjacent to the school rather than on the existent school premises,” added Dr Vassallo.

AD Councillors look at the person’s development holistically. If elected to the Safi local council, AD will work in order to organise courses in arts and crafts, particularly throughout the summer holidays, added Dr Vassallo.

“AD councillors will also make it a point that the sport facilities in the different localities will be available to all residents without any unnecessary bureaucracy and under the strictest supervision in order to prevent vandalism,” concluded Dr Vassallo. Dr Vassallo also presented commemorative medals to the participants in a mini-football tournament for children, organised in Safi by AD.

Dr Vassallo and members of the AD executive Committee also paid a courtesy visit to the clubs of various organisations active in this locality, including the Labour Party. A visit to the PN club in Safi was also planned, however the latter was unfortunately closed due to the fact that the candidates had a political activity somewhere else, AD said in a statement.

AD activists and Dr Vassallo also took part in a walk about through the streets of this village. They had the occasion to meet a number of residents and to discuss local concerns.

The closing event for this activity was a football match between the AD activists and a selection of youths from Safi.