The Maltese Olympic Committee, in collaboration with the Directorate of Quality and Standards in Education, will be staging a competition for schools on the occasion of the London Olympics to be held in summer.

A similar competition had been staged on the occasion of the Beijing Games in China four years ago.

Addressing a news conference yesterday, Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco, MOC president, explained that the initiative had been taken jointly by the MOC and the Education Directorate because this year is the year of the Olympics.

He said: “Through this initiative, we want to promote sport as a means of not just being a physical exercise, but also as a way of life. I believe that through investment in sport we can all improve our lifestyles, especially that of our youngsters, also eliminating a number of problems, particularly those concerning obesity and criminality.”

He stressed the need to involve more children in sport and one of the aims of the competition was for the schools to help promote the ideals and values of sport.

Stephen Grima, from the Education Directorate, said that together they would be doing their best to create awareness of this year’s Olympics in London.

“We want more children to take part in sporting activities. We want to make them aware that it is by starting from a young age that they, one day, may take part at the top levels, such as, at the Olympic Games.

“Through such competitions, we believe these children should be stimulated in selecting their lifestyle – we want tomorrow’s children to be better than those of today.

“The visits by athletes at the schools starting from next week, should prove to be another attraction. These athletes will be the role models – the first contact at school should help children build a strong relationship with sport,” he said.

Ms Adele Muscat, Director of the MOC Academy, said that this initiative should help to educate children on the importance of sport and exercise in their life and on the values that can be brought about through sport.

Schools are being asked to organise events related to the Olympic Games and to present a portfolio of these activities by 1 June. Schools are free to organise activities of their choice including academic projects and/or sports activities.

The objective of the scheme, among others, is to promote the importance of practising sport, eating healthy food, to generate awareness for local sport and local athletes and to spread the Olympic values.