The newly-founded Swieqi football team is organising a business breakfast tomorrow at the Cavalieri hotel. The club has solidly consolidated its position within the Swieqi confines.
It has, however, been struggling to gain recognition from the Swieqi council. By recognition, I do not mean just on paper, but in a tangible material sense. It has been very difficult to start up such a venture, and without the enormous input of young people, it would not have taken off. They need help from their own council. As such, there is a room that the central government has devolved to the council in Swieqi, in which they can continue building up the club. By giving the premises to Swieqi FC, the council can impose the introduction of a nursery, thus having a real effect on Swieqi residents and families.
Sport should not only be a nice token at election time, but must be supported. It will be so satisfying when, by means of sport, you get back a youngster who managed to kick the habit. I do not count the youngsters who avoid drugs because of sport, but those who come back because of football.
We really must build on this and I appeal, as I did last Sunday, to the members of the Swieqi council to collaborate with the club, in order to have a real human centre in Swieqi. A council building does not have a human feeling.
Another occasion I attended was the Noel Turner testimonial day at the Sliema Sports Complex. The poster indicated it was in collaboration with the Sliema local council. But to my astonishment, the Sliema local council retracted on its commitment to support this event, and there were only three councillors, with Cyrus Engerer making a personal donation to the cause, which was much appreciated.
When a council pays only lip service to such events in its locality, it is renouncing its existence to the same locality. Of course, nothing should ever be done which counters legal framework.
Meanwhile, a most interesting programme was broadcast on One TV on Monday, hosted by Joe Grima. While I noted the banging of fists on the table by a guest speaker on the panel who certainly showed and proved his annoyance at what was being said, the input by all made the talk show interesting, as usual. It seems old habits die hard. Also interesting was the Alfred Sant episode in parliament, where it was clear that procrastination was the name of the game, in the name of any excuse.
If Malta had not ratified its contribution to the Greek loan, we would have sent the wrong message abroad, and risked our foreign investments and ultimately, our jobs. It seems like the old guard still claims leadership, something that still is of worry to many.
Robert Arrigo is parliamentary assistant in the Finance Ministry