Minister for Sport Clifton Grima inaugurated the 'Celebrating Sport in Malta' conference on Friday, marking the 10th anniversary of SportMalta's establishment.
Grima described SportMalta's journey as having led to a leap in quality in the country's sports' sector, after 10 years of dedicated work.
He reflected on the work accomplished over the past decade, mentioning investment in infrastructure projects, as well as the support provided to associations, organisations, and sports clubs, including direct financial assistance to athletes and sportspeople.
"This effort has led to success in this sector, not only as a nation but also at the level of associations and the personal achievements of our athletes," Grima said.
He added that this work has resulted in success in various sports competitions, increased promotion of sports, and the implementation of the government's policies in this sector.
"It has also contributed to increasingly making our country a hub for hosting international-calibre sports events," Grima said.
He also spoke of this year's plans in the sector, including major projects such as the continuation of work on the motorsport track in collaboration with the Malta Motorsport Federation and further developments in the Marsa sports hub, leading to the inauguration of the third and final phase of the project.
"Improvements in existing facilities will continue, including the installation of new lighting at the National Pool, which for the second consecutive year will host the Final 4 of the Champions League, a competition followed by millions across Europe," Grima said.
In addition to infrastructure investments, financial investments will also continue, benefiting sports associations and athletes directly, he said.
"Following the success achieved in 2023, this year is also a year of the Games of the Small States of Europe, with investment being made in athletes' preparation," he said.
Grima said efforts also include a new program for after-school activities at SportMalta centres, aimed at encouraging people of all ages to participate in sports and physical activities. He said this programme will be developed in consultation with stakeholders in the sector.
Grima also said that a budget measure for this year: six months of free gym access for young people born between 2005 and 2007, which will be launched soon.
The two-day conference featured various sessions with discussions involving sports professionals, including coaches, sports educators, student-athletes, and international experts.
Permanent Secretary Matthew Vella and SportMalta CEO Mark Cutajar said that over the past ten years, they were surrounded by teams of professionals who all contributed to the entity's achievements.
The conference included contributions from both Maltese and international speakers, such as the President of European Aquatics Prof. António Silva, Prof. Gregor Starc from the University of Ljubljana, Senior Lecturer and Researcher Dr. John Xerri De Caro. and the CEO of the European Observatoire of Sport and Employment (EOSE), Aurélien Favre.