The San Giljan Aquatic Sports Club has become the latest sports team on the island to be sponsored by Gozitan construction magnate Joseph Portelli, through his business J Portelli Projects.

In a statement, the club said that J Portelli Projects will be its title sponsors from summer 2022 all the way through to summer 2023.

The sponsorship agreement was signed between the group’s Chairman Joseph Portelli, and San Giljan ASC President Peter Bonavia in the presence of Club Secretary Michael Fenech.

“J Portelli Projects’ investment will further enable San Giljan ASC to realize both short and long-term goals, including the creation of opportunities for both novice and experienced players, as well as assist in the team’s overall performance. Apart from raising the club’s competitive edge, this sponsorship will enable initiatives targeting the community,” the club said in its statement.

“The union between the two prolific entities is a result of a seamlessly aligned commitment towards making a difference through sport. San Giljan ASC and J Portelli Projects firmly believe that sport, wellbeing and mental health are intertwined, and to this end strive to provide youths with open access to sport, for healthier habits and an overall improved lifestyle,” it continued.

San Giljan ASC is the latest club to sign an agreement with Portelli, who is now sponsoring or directly involved in five teams across three different sports.

Portelli is currently the President of Premier League football club Hamrun Spartans, and has shelled over €1.5 million into the club since taking it over in March 2021.

Portelli also sponsors football team Nadur Youngsters, where his son in fact currently serves as President.  Portelli himself used to play with the club and had already served as its President in years prior.  He drew attention when in April 2022 he was registered as a Nadur player and was substituted on in a match against Kercem Ajax, where he scored a penalty for the match to finish 1-1.

Also in football, Portelli sponsors Qala Saints, his hometown club, who compete in the Gozo Football Association’s First Division, having won the Second Division comfortably in the 2021/22 season.

Portelli’s other sporting sponsorship venture is in futsal – an indoor discipline of football – where he sponsors the University of Malta Futsal team.