During the inauguration of the official opening of the third and final phase of the Marsa Sports Complex, Prime Minister Robert Abela stressed how this Complex confirms the Government’s continued investment in sport, athletes and their future.
The Marsa Sports Complex consists of three distinct phases, which include the sports complex for gymnastics and other sports, the regeneration project of the historic 1903 building, as well as this final phase of the centre dedicated to Weightlifting, Squash, Netball and fitness. In total, the investment on these three phases exceeds €16 million. This sports complex consists of three floors of sports and ancillary facilities and offers top-level sports facilities, as befits today’s times.
In the last phase, investment was completed in new courts for Squash and Netball, a dedicated Weightlifting centre, as well as a high-level fitness centre, carried out through a private partnership. Prime Minister Robert Abela noted that through these facilities, sports communities can now enjoy a modern, professional and accessible environment, which strengthens the training, competition and development of athletes at every stage of their career. He mentioned that such sports investment will continue to place Malta on the world map of international competitions.
Next year, Malta will be hosting the Youth Commonwealth Games, with the participation of 74 different countries. An event of this magnitude that has also arrived in our country thanks to these investments that we are making and that will continue to elevate sporting standards in our country and place Malta on the world sports map. “This will be the biggest sporting event,” stressed the Prime Minister, noting that the inaugurated facilities will be used in these Games.
Dr Abela noted how the investment in the sports sector is part of a broader vision, with which the Government is continuing to position sport as a key pillar of society by promoting better health, discipline, teamwork and a strong sense of community. He pointed out that through SportMalta, the Government is working strategically to create an infrastructure that responds to the needs of today as well as those of the future.
During his speech, Prime Minister Abela also made reference to the investment made in the Sports and Aquatics Pavilion in Rabat, Gozo, among other investments that have also come thanks to a strong economy that is leading us to now launch the Malta 2050 Vision so that Malta can rise to the next level. In Marsa, he also mentioned the Government’s plans to regenerate Marsa and the Grand Harbour area in further quality investment that will push the Government forward.
Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima spoke about the years of work in the important sports sector in our country. He said that during recent years there has been and will continue to be major investment through which our country is making a qualitative leap in the sector. Work not only in the implementation of infrastructural projects, but also in the assistance being given to associations, organizations and sports clubs, even in direct financial assistance to athletes and sportspeople.
“The new infrastructure and improved facilities are providing better opportunities for athletes to prepare for competitive games and for their sports formation. This work is leading to our country increasingly becoming a center where we host international-caliber sports events, apart from providing excellent facilities to athletes and sportspeople and to the entire population”, said Minister Grima.
SportMalta CEO Mark Cutajar stressed how SportMalta has transformed the Marsa sports facilities, which were previously in poor condition, into high-level sports complexes that serve associations, clubs, host international events, as well as sport and physical activity for the community in general. During the ceremony, a discussion was also held between three athletes representing different disciplines, where the athletes shared their experience on the importance of modern facilities, preparation for competition and the role of sport in the lives of young people. Athletes from the sports of Squash, Netball and Weightlifting took part in the discussion, who highlighted how these investments are providing new opportunities for Maltese athletes to compete successfully at an international level.
Photos: OPM
