The year that has just passed has been a very active one on the local sports scene. Quite a few sports associations were involved in the organisation of a number events that attracted to Malta some very high profile figures such as Uefa president Michel Platini and European Olympic Committee president Patrick Hickey. At the same time, our athletes were busy training and competing both locally and abroad. And some of them managed to achieve good results. Maltese teams won the world championship in table football, the Mediterranean championship in horse-racing, the triathlon competition for Small European States, the International Defensive Pistol European championship and quite a few others. I take this opportunity to thank all the athletes and adminstrators for their great efforts, especially considering that the great majority of them are non-professionals and volunteers but nonetheless committed sportsmen and women.
The Malta Sports Council
Reviewing the activities of the Malta Sports Council (KMS) during 2010, one concludes that this was indeed an active year. During the year, the council attracted the registration of just under 300 sporting organisations, with another 44 waiting for approval following vetting. It only registers sports organisations that meet certain criteria, which includes having a democratic statute and presenting audited accounts. Registered organisations may apply for assistance under one or more of the various schemes run by the council.
Apart from providing excellent cooperation with the affiliated bodies, the council was involved in various events that were staged during 2010, including the Valletta Grand Prix for classic cars, the Gozo Grand Sprint, the Euromed international event for young sailors, the Shooting Grand Prix, the Equestrian festival and the Power Boat Championships.
Fostering a Sports Culture
Government’s mission with regard to sport is to foster a sports culture and thus widen participation in sports and physical activity. The impressive work carried out in schools and colleges by the KMS Sport Promotion Unit, such as Sports Days, Fun runs and after-school activities, has strived to encourage our youngsters to adopt a healthy life style. At the same time Skolasport, outside school hours, continues to prosper and a number of programmes such as ‘Girls on the Move’, ‘KMS Sport for All’ and ‘Active Youngsters’, proved very popular, attracting thousands, and many more thousands attended sports programmes run by sports organisations in a multitude of disciplines.
SportMalta Awards: L-Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali
The second SportMalta Awards, L-Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali, will be held on Saturday, 29 January at the Mediterranean Conference Centre. This national event will be a memorable occasion for the many talented sportsmen and women whose extraordinary involvement and achievements in sport will be given the recognition they deserve.
The event will be once again organised by the KMS and the Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sport, who will also mark the 50th anniversary of the Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali which the late Benny Pace established with resounding success. Although only in its second year, this awards night is building on a wealth of experience without any inhibitions of innovation. In fact the SportMalta Award also involves the votes of sports associations and the public, together with those of the journalists, making it a truly national celebration. In the meantime many motorsport enthusiasts are eagerly waiting to welcome the special guest for the night, former president of Ferrari and currently head of the FIA, Jean Todt. From what I have heard, the Awards night promises to end a year of sport in style.