From today, young people born between 2005 and 2007 can apply to benefit from a six-month gym membership paid for by the Government. This can be done by applying on the website youthfitness.gov.mt/ where young people who will benefit from the implementation of this measure announced by the Government in this year’s Budget, have the choice of more than 60 gyms from around Malta and Gozo that are partners in this initiative. Around 12,000 young people will benefit from this measure.
At the launch of the implementation of this measure, in a wonderful activity among many young people and people enthusiastic about physical activity, Prime Minister Robert Abela described this measure as one that is very close to his heart because it will continue to instill a love for sport and physical activity from a young age. He said that all this creates a better quality of life and a quality future for the Maltese and Gozitan people.
Among a large number of young people at the Mediterranean College of Sport, in Birkirkara, Prime Minister Robert Abela stressed that the message behind this initiative is more important than the financial investment that the Government is making so that beneficiaries can enjoy six months of free gym membership because the Government is paying for it. “The message is one in favour of the importance of physical activity from a young age. This is because I believe that if we start a routine of physical activity, it will stay with you for the rest of your life,” said Prime Minister Robert Abela. He added that he is satisfied that as a Government we have delivered this very important measure and invited the young people who will benefit to take an opportunity from this Government initiative. He thanked more than 60 gyms across the country that have joined this initiative.
Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Clifton Grima, said that this is a clear example of how investing in sport and youth can unite an entire community around a healthy and positive lifestyle. He said that with this scheme, the Government is also investing in a new mindset. “We are giving young people the push they need to choose a more active and balanced life and in doing so we will be building a stronger future for our country,” said Minister Grima.
Meanwhile, in the event that marked the beginning of the implementation of this measure, after a public call was opened earlier this year for gyms across the country that wished to join this initiative, the Mediterranean College of Sport hosted a programme of work-outs and physical activity competitions. They were hosted by Alex Eubank and Greg Doucette, two world-renowned figures in the field of physical activity.
Photo: DOI/OPM
