Discussing what brings about crime can easily lead one to point at factors that at times can be far from the real motive of a given criminal situation. We hear people saying that the authorities should be more accountable to provide control or that the fault of all crimes is the laissez-faire attitude of adults towards the young.

Others hold that amusement centres might generate a behaviour that pushes one outside the latitudes of social acceptability. The latter opinion, needless to say, can be dangerous.

However tracing the roots of crime can be endless. The idea of controlling crime may come to be a major concern not only to the authorities that have to exercise control on any given situation but also to society.

Whatever the reason, to explore another way to fight the prablem of criminality, must be an unconditional concern to society at large with special reference to young people. I refer particularly to sport as an effective tool towards reducing criminal activity.

However, one would ask: are sports activities reaching every sector of society, towns, age groups, people with mental and physical disabilities and others with exceptional problems? Has any survey ever been undertaken to indicate how sports can be utilised as a means of social apparatus to reduce criminality among the young people?

Is sport being given its true identity or is it, as it seems, just a means of passing the time or better still, a bourgeois, fashionable activity? Sport can be much more than that. It is profoundly rooted in the culture and patterns of human society.

Sport has become a major phenomenon. Unfortunately professionalism in sports nowadays seems to have become big business and the true meaning of it is fading away. However, apart from this negative element, sport is generally considered beneficial.

For example, sport serves as an integrative part and adaptive function; it helps people come together socially and overcome social barriers. The philosophy of physical culture and sports explains the importance given to good health, education and socialisation. Physical culture and sport can provide opportunities to strive for excellence in relation to social interaction.

Social scientists in the field of psychology find that movement is an integral part of physical education and is considered one of the basic keys in learning. Movement indicates that some action is used in seeking solutions to a problem. Therefore movement through sports and physical training for young people in their development might be a source to heIp them grow more intelligent.

In view of this the authorities must be more objective in selecting coaches and other responsible personnel to understand and teach holistically the meaning of sports to young people. The authorities with the help of local councils could focus on this aspect of sports to reach every town and village in Malta. This, I feel, would definitely help fight crime among young people.