The local media has recently reported that the MFA president, Joe Mifsud, has announced that the MFA is going to embellish the national stadium, a project which is estimated to cost around half a million euros. I am sure that everyone agrees that this is a necessary and worthwhile project and will be greatly appreciated by all those who attend the national stadium to watch a football match. It is hoped that this regeneration will improve the image of Malta especially when foreign spectators come to watch an international match. The Holy Name Society joins the ranks in expressing its satisfaction and in praising such an initiative.

The only thing that worries our society is that not a single euro has been budgeted for the ethical and moral embellishment of this complex, or rather the people who attend. Good ethics and high moral standards are what give dignity to us human beings and sports can be a special tool to enhance these values. Unfortunately, there reign in our stadium two very horrible vices, blasphemy as well as betting and usury. These two vices not only lower our moral standards as citizens, but they are often the cause of serious social problems, especially resulting in many broken families.

It appears that the MFA is not conscious enough of these two evils and hence has not been motivated to take measures by somehow investing in helping to eradicate these bad habits from our stadium. Our society realises that the MFA is not a religious institution but we are sure that it realises that ethical and moral standards are important and need to be tackled. The Holy Name Society would like to suggest the putting up of billboards with such captions as ‘Swearing is prohibited’, ‘Please do not swear’, and ‘Betting breaks up families’. It is important to strive to create a good moral atmosphere devoid of swearing, betting and corruption.

The Holy Name Society supports every initiative in promoting the physical and mental well-being through sports but also encourages the moral and ethical well-being because a human being is made of body and soul and so it is necessary to see to the person as a whole.

We sincerely thank the MFA for its hard work and wish it every success.

Chev. Stanley Mangion

National President

The Holy Name Society