With an investment of €5.5 million, Prime Minister Robert Abela, together with the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima, inaugurated the third phase of the project which will lead to a sports hub of the highest level in Marsa which will not only benefit the sports community, but also the public and the followers of the sport in our country.
The Prime Minister Robert Abela reiterated that the inauguration of this project is another testimony of how this is a Government that fulfills what it promises, with the word it gave to the athletes after the beautiful result of the Games of Small countries, the Government is investing in such projects. Projects that follow among others that of the Olympic Swimming Pool in the South of Malta.
He supported the Government’s commitment for our country to have sports facilities of international standards so that everyone can reach their aspirations. So that sportsmen can reach the next level. With the Government’s vision for this sector is that with more results in sport it affects everyone who in one way or another practices some physical activity, while we invest in excellence. But he explained that for this vision to be fulfilled you need to have a country moving forward; with a strong economy that invests in the people of its country, with a strategy, with a plan and with resources to bring that idea on paper to a complete project and a Government with a strong will to fulfill what it promises.
Prime Minister Abela referred to the determination of the children he met in this sports complex during the inauguration, and their desire to roam in the sport. Here, he reiterated that the Government will continue to invest in them because we want them to be able to aspire in Malta as much as any child from another country. “That is what we want for our children, that is the result of the work we are doing so that this is the guarantee we give them.”
He concluded that we also give this same guarantee to our communities, with projects like this one, which in its design uses the principle that from the investment in the new facilities, the community also benefits. Which today from a building that had been abandoned since the year it was built, has a sports facility of the highest level together with a multipurpose hall that you can use.
“This is our vision for the communities. Healthy, vibrant, well-served, inclusive, clean and beautiful communities. Therefore, we are investing in communities more than ever, whatever the sector. I believe, however, that the sports sector beyond the sports facilities is also a reflection of the values and aspirations we embrace as a community, as a country. We must continue to build a Malta where sport is not only a career or a hobby, but also remains a source of pride, of national unity and of inspiration not only for today’s generations but also for those of tomorrow.”
In the past months, several other projects were inaugurated, including the restoration of the 1903 building which is the heart of the complex and the athletics stadium. The project that was inaugurated today is replacing an abandoned building that was built in 1990 but was never used. With the investment made, now the sports community will enjoy a hall that can be used for various activities, a modern pavilion of 900 square meters for gymnastics and other disciplines which is equipped with modern equipment and which also accommodates 300 spectators . The complex also has a top level fitness room, offices that will be used both by SportMalta and by various sports associations, dressing rooms and other ancillary facilities.
Minister Clifton Grima looked at the work being done with an unprecedented investment in this sports hub, part of a national plan for this sector and said, “It is part of our vision to make this the sports hub complex, which includes facilities for various sports disciplines and of the best level. A vision through which we are aiming for our country to have sports facilities of international standards that serve as a foundation for the sports industry. In this way, we will not only continue to put our country’s name on the world sports map, but attract investment to our country, also through sports tourism.”
The CEO of SportMalta, Mark Cutajar, said that in the last ten years, SportMalta has grown, in terms of facilities and human resources, both in terms of training and knowledge. “SportMalta has fully looked at the present strategy, one of the foundations of which is the sports facilities, and is developing these plans into a reality of the best level in order to accommodate athletes of various disciplines, the sports associations and to the general public.”
It is the aim of the Government to continue to carry out together with all parties in the sector so that even the sports sector is one that offers every possible opportunity for athletes and for sportsmen so that they too reach their dreams and aspirations .
This is another project from a list of sports infrastructure projects that are being carried out around the islands, as part of an ambitious vision that is being carried out, which is leading to accessible sports facilities for all.
Before it was inaugurated, there was an exhibition by the Academy of the On The Move Program, a program that builds on the one that was Skolasport started years ago by Fr Hilary Tagliaferro.
Photographs (OPM-DOI)
