“In recent years we have seen a leap in quality in a sector so important to our country – the sports sector. This is being done not only with the unprecedented investment in sports infrastructure, but also in the direct investment we are making in our country’s athletes, associations and sports organisations.
In the last seven years we have given over €33 million in financial assistance, this year alone, so far, just under €5 and a half million to a record 51 associations”. This was announced by the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima when he launched the official transition of the SportMalta On the Move initiative to Let’s Move Malta. This assistance is provided under various assistance schemes by SportMalta, including the International Participation Scheme and the Sport Tourism Scheme. The associations are also benefiting from subsidised land rental for sporting purposes, and financial collaboration with the Maltese Olympic Committee, Special Olympics Malta and the Paralympic Committee. Athletes also benefit from other schemes, including the flexi-training scheme, paid sports leave and the Sponsorship Rebate Scheme.
“This financial assistance is leading to more flexibility from these sports associations, to continue to advance the various sports disciplines, not only by investing in their facilities, but also directly in sportsmen and athletes. This is leading to results that we must continue to strengthen, with our country’s name being mentioned more often with significant achievements in international competitions,” said Minister Grima.
The official transition from the established On the Move initiative to the new Let’s Move Malta programmes is an evolution that demonstrates SportMalta’s commitment to strengthening opportunities for physical activity and continuing to promote more active and healthy lifestyles in the community. Following the success of Summer on the Move 2025, which attracted over 3,000 participants across Malta and Gozo, the launch of Let’s Move Malta marks an important step in expanding the accessibility, variety, and quality of programs within the sports community. As part of this new phase, SportMalta is introducing: Extended Sport Fundamentals sessions that will now last an hour and a half instead of an hour, to allow children to dedicate more time to building physical literacy, motor skills, and confidence in a structured and supportive environment; A 22-week Parent and Child Program for ages 2.5 to 3 designed to strengthen fundamental movement skills through the joint participation of parents and children.
It combines land-based and swimming activities, providing young children with opportunities to develop agility, balance, coordination and confidence in the water while parents actively support their progress. There is also the Teen Adventure programme for ages 12-16 which is a 28-week initiative that offers diverse experiences to teenagers. The programme ranges from sports and outdoor challenges to practical life skills such as first aid and water safety. This programme is designed to build confidence, teamwork, and resilience. SportMalta Hubs is another programme in collaboration with sports associations and clubs, which will work to make sport more inclusive and accessible, while guiding participants to join clubs and further their sporting progress.
SportMalta CEO, Mark Cutajar, said that through Let’s Move Malta, SportMalta continues to reaffirm its vision for the sports sector.
