Children residing in the Cottonera area will have the opportunity to attend free athletics training sessions this summer at De La Salle College, the government said. These sessions will focus on running, jumping, and other athletic disciplines with the aim of helping children develop their skills in sports.

The initiative was announced by Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Alison Zerafa Civelli, during the signing of an agreement between the Cottonera Foundation, represented by Chairperson Joe Mizzi, and the La Salle Athletics Club, represented by Mario Bonello.

Zerafa Civelli highlighted the important and central role the Cottonera Foundation is playing in the community life of Bormla, Birgu, Isla, and Kalkara. "In Cottonera, the active work of the local councils is being complemented by the initiatives of this Foundation, which is serving as a strong support system. I'm very pleased with this initiative, as it shows the Foundation is focusing on physical activities aimed at children. This will help instil sports discipline from a young age and ultimately promote healthier lifestyles," she said.

She added that the Foundation is serving as a key collaborator with local councils to create a holistic effort in community-beneficial activities across Bormla, Birgu, Isla, and Kalkara. She concluded by noting that this initiative also aligns with Malta's Vision 2050, which emphasises the importance of sport and physical activity.

Mizzi explained that this initiative is part of a wider series of projects the Foundation is undertaking. "Our initiatives span cultural, social, and sporting sectors with the aim of offering the Cottonera community high-quality activities. This time, we're going beyond the usual cultural and infrastructural events to focus on our children, introducing them to the world of athletics," Mizzi said.

Bonello expressed satisfaction with the initiative, stating that the college is proud to be giving something back to the Cottonera community in which it operates.

The training sessions will take place during July and August, every Tuesday and Friday from 6.30pm to 8pm, at De La Salle College. They are open to students attending the primary schools in Cospicua, Senglea, Vittoriosa, and Kalkara.