Olympian Athletes Carol Walsh (Athletics), Mario Bonello (Athletics), Angie Galea (Swimming) and ex-athlete and media personality Xandru Grech (Athletics) participated in an Health and Exercise Exhibition organised by Sir Luigi Preziosi, Girls Secondary School, Pembroke. The athlete’s were invited to participate in this activity as part of the Maltese Olympic Committee’s initiative to involve its athletes in schools.
Athletes are role models and a source of inspiration for Malta’s youth. Through such visits in schools athletes can talk about their personal experiences and highlight the importance of healthy and active lifestyle.
By having the opportunity to meet top level athletes and hearing their stories and motivation, students realise that with a goal, will and dedication to succeed is what makes an athlete stand out.
The message that these athletes convey to youngsters, is that anyone can succeed if they put their mind to it! Going into schools, athletes contribute to bringing about support and awareness for what local athletes do and strengthen the message that Sport is important.
The MOC encourages schools to highlight the importance of Health and Exercise awareness as a general lifestyle and to continue to educate children about the benefits of practicing Sport not just through PE periods but through other initiatives. Athletes are excellent spokespeople for combating health issues and have wonderful life stories of great value to children, parents and teachers alike!
The MOC believes and supports such initiatives and as part of the newly launched Athlete Support Schemes the MOC has introduced an element of social responsibility where MOC athletes will lend their support to a number of ‘Good Causes’ of their choice.
Athletes as role models will be encouraged to give time to their favourite charitable cause which the MOC in turn will assist in providing publicity and promotion towards the deed and cause.
This ‘Good Cause Deed’ has come about as result of the position and achievements of MOC athletes; how they in turn contribute to raising the profile and image of Malta. They also act as sporting ambassadors and role models for our youth providing a strong social message to society in general.
MOC athletes’ good cause deeds are as follows:
William Chetcuti (Shooting) - Dar il-Providenza, Darren Gilford (Athletics) - St. Joseph Hamrun Children’s home, Carol Walsh (Athletics) - Attending schools, Charlene Attard (Athletics), St. Vincent de Paul (Old People’s Home), Nicolai Portelli (Athletics), St. Joseph Hamrun Children’s home, Mario Bonello (Athletics), St. Joseph Hamrun Children’s home, Martina Xuereb (Athletics), St. Vincent de Paul (Old People’s Home), Angela Galea (Swimming), Frans Pace (Shooting), Dar il-Providenza, Benji Borg (Sailing), St Patrick’s Home, Therese Mallia (Athletics), Caritas, Lara Scerri (Athletics), St. Vincent de Paul (Old People’s Home).