Prime Minister Robert Abela, in the presence of the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima, inaugurated the new offices of the Malta Authority for Integrity in Sport (AiMS), in Santa Venera.
Accompanied by Chief Executive Kevin Azzopardi and the Authority’s Chairman, Judge Emeritus Antonio Mizzi, Prime Minister Abela and Minister Grima toured the modern offices and facilities, spread over an area of 800 square metres.
The Authority’s new facilities are now more accessible to the public who need to make use of any service offered by the Authority. At the same time, these offices are also being used by Doping Control Officers, as well as by Education Officers who provide their services to the Authority on a part-time basis.
Prime Minister Robert Abela noted that since the establishment of the AiMS back in 2021, this Authority has been fully contributing to the development and strengthening of Maltese sport. Dr Abela reiterated that the Government’s vision, through the law by which the AiMS was established, is yielding the desired results. He noted that several European countries, as well as others from different continents, are looking at the Maltese model so that they too can move towards establishing a similar authority, which incorporates not only the anti-doping sector, but also the other three pillars of integrity, namely those of good governance, the fight against the manipulation of sports activities and the educational sector.
To date, around 70 sports associations and federations have successfully registered with AiMS after passing administrative scrutiny. The process has now also begun to register all sports clubs in Malta and Gozo.
Prime Minister Robert Abela expressed his gratitude to the Chairman, the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive and all the employees within this Authority, while wishing them every success in their work so that our country continues to have a sports sector that continues to make the Maltese and Gozitan people proud not only on a local level but also on an international level.
Minister Clifton Grima stressed that the inauguration of these new offices of the Malta Authority for Sport Integrity is another important step to continue strengthening good governance, transparency and credibility in the Maltese sports sector. “As a Government, we believe that sport should be built on strong values of justice, discipline and integrity, and therefore we continue to invest in structures and institutions that uphold these principles. The AiMS is doing crucial work to continue to promote high standards in our sport, both locally and internationally,” concluded Minister Grima.
Chairman of the AiMS, Judge Emeritus Antonio Mizzi emphasised the importance of integrity in Maltese sport and that this should be the foundation of the work regarding the administration of sports associations and federations, as well as in the work of the Authority itself. He thanked all the employees of the Authority for the work they carry out and who serve as an example of integrity throughout their work.
The Chief Executive of the Authority, Kevin Azzopardi, also spoke, mentioning the Authority’s constant work in its various sectors. He thanked the two Chief Executives who served in office before him, and stated that he will continue to work and lead this Authority with the highest possible standards of ethics and integrity. He noted with satisfaction that the AiMS is not only finding cooperation from sports associations and clubs, but also from other entities and stakeholders in the sports sector. He mentioned the good relationship that already exists with SportMalta, the Malta Gaming Authority, the Police Force, as well as the Maltese Olympic Committee. He also noted that, at an international level, the AiMS enjoys full trust not only from the World Anti-Doping Agency, but also from the International Testing Agency, which a few days ago tasked the AiMS with conducting a number of tests during an international competition held in Malta. This is in addition to the very good relations that AiMS has with various other international sports organisations and federations, including European Aquatics, UEFA and the European Olympic Committees.
Photos: DOI/OPM
