Paola Local Councillors have received the award for the European Town of Sports 2026 in Brussels.
The delegation, led by Councillor Darren Lynch, included Melanie Agius Attard , Roderick Caruana and Rose Piccinino.
Following the presentation, Paola Local Council wrote on Facebook,
“Paola tingħata t-titlu ta’ European Town of Sport 2026!
Illum fil-Parlament Ewropew fi Brussell, il-lokalità tagħna ngħatat it-titlu prestiġjuż ta’ European Town of Sport 2026 minn ACES Europe.
Dan ir-rikonoxximent huwa frott ta’ xhur ta’ ħidma u kollaborazzjoni bejn il-Kunsill Lokali Paola, il-Kunsill Reġjonali Port, u l-Assoċjazzjoni tal-Kunsilli Lokali.
Xhur ilu, delegazzjoni ta’ ACES żaret il-faċilitajiet sportivi tagħna, l-inizjattivi komunitarji u l-proġetti ta’ inklużjoni, u evalwat id-direzzjoni fit-tul li Paola qed timxi fiha biex tkompli ssaħħaħ il-benesseri u l-attività fiżika għal kulħadd. Wara dan il-proċess, il-Kunsill ippreżenta l-bid book uffiċjali lill-kumitat Ewropew.
Nixtiequ nirringrazzjaw lil kull min ta sehmu f’dan il-vjaġġ, speċjalment lill-għaqdiet sportivi lokali u lill-membri tal-komunità li jagħmlu Paola lokalità ħajja u attiva. Ringrazzjament speċjali jmur ukoll għall-ET Dr Kenneth Vella, Ambaxxatur ta’ Malta għall-Estonja u l-Finlandja, għall-appoġġ kontinwu tiegħu.
Fl-2026 ser noħolqu programm sħiħ ta’ attivitajiet u inizjattivi sportivi għal etajiet u abilitajiet differenti, biex dan l-unur ma jibqax biss titlu, iżda jsir opportunità għal komunità aktar magħquda, b’saħħitha u inklużiva.
Paola awarded the title of European Town of Sport 2026
Today at the European Parliament in Brussels, our locality was awarded the prestigious title of European Town of Sport 2026 by ACES Europe. This recognition is the result of months of work and collaboration between the Paola Local Council, the Port Regional Council, and the Association of Local Councils.
Months ago, an ACES delegation visited our sports facilities, community initiatives and inclusion projects, and assessed the long-term direction that Paola is taking to continue strengthening well-being and physical activity for all. Following this process, the Council presented the official bid book to the European committee. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to this journey, especially the local sports associations and community members who make Paola a lively and active locality.
Special thanks also go to HE Dr Kenneth Vella, Ambassador of Malta to Estonia and Finland, for his continued support. In 2026 we will create a full programme of sporting activities and initiatives for different ages and abilities, so that this honour will not remain just a title, but will become an opportunity for a more united, strong and inclusive community.
