More initiatives and opportunities for Malta to be more active
The European Week of Sport 2026 has been launched, which between 23 and 30 September will deliver a series of activities across Malta and Gozo with the aim of encouraging more people to make sport and physical activity part of their daily lives.
With the theme #BeActiveYourWay, this year’s campaign is conveying the message that everyone can find their own way to be more active, regardless of age, ability or activity level. Therefore, opportunities for participation will be created throughout the week in schools, communities, workplaces and through sports clubs, with the aim of making physical activity a more regular part of everyday life.
This year’s programme was presented during the official launch organised by SportMalta, which coordinates the initiative in Malta. The European Week of Sport will bring together sports organisations, schools, communities and other partners, with a range of initiatives designed to bring sport and physical activity to more people.
The European Week of Sport forms part of a wider effort to increase participation in sport and physical activity. This includes investment in sports facilities, strengthening grassroots and club sports, supporting coaches and increasing opportunities to make sport open and accessible to all. The aim is for more people to have the opportunity to start being active and, above all, to stay active beyond the week’s initiatives.
Minister for Education and Sports Byron Camilleri said that the Government’s ambition goes beyond the activities organised during this week, and is for more people to make sport and physical activity part of their lives.
“Our goal is not an active Malta for a week, but a Malta that chooses to be more active every day. Sport and physical activity are important not only for physical health, but also for mental health and quality of life. We want to build a culture that starts with our children, grows with young people and stays with us throughout our lives. As a Government, we want to continue to make the first step easier for everyone: by investing in quality facilities, strengthening clubs and grassroots, supporting those who work every day in sport and removing barriers to participation. Because before success there is participation, and before every medal there has always been the first step,” said Minister Camilleri.
Minister Camilleri also stressed that this work must start from a young age and that sport should have a strong place in the educational experience. Through sport, children and young people are not only more active, but they learn discipline, sacrifice and the importance of commitment, while developing skills that will stay with them throughout life. Schools should therefore also be spaces where children are given the opportunity to discover sport, discover their talent and build a positive relationship with physical activity from a young age.
The National Coordinator of the European Week of Sport, Rose Marie Mercieca, explained that the initiative aims to encourage more people to participate in sport and physical activity as part of a healthier lifestyle.
“The European Week of Sport is a European Union initiative that encourages people to do more physical activity and sport, with the aim of adopting a healthier lifestyle. Between 23 and 30 September, various organisations will participate through sports and physical activity activities. The week will culminate on Saturday, 26 September, at the Kirkop Sports Complex, where SportMalta will offer a wide range of sports disciplines and fitness activities from 17:00 onwards, followed by a musical concert,” said Mercieca.
The programme is open to all ages and abilities and involves a wide range of partners. Among the initiatives will also be activities linked to traditional sports games, so that together with the promotion of different disciplines and forms of physical activity, space is also given to local sporting heritage.
The European Week of Sport is an annual initiative of the European Commission that has been promoting the #BeActive message across Europe since 2015. In Malta, this work is coordinated by SportMalta and carried out through collaboration with schools, local councils, workplaces, sports organisations, NGOs and other partners.
