Sports and fitness

I concur with the sentiments expressed in your editorial of July 26. At long last Malta is beginning to invest in decent indoor and outdoor sports facilities. However, have we got the professionals - whether individuals or companies - in place to run them? I very much doubt it.

Alas, as the editorial proclaimed, "enthusiasts in charge of these new facilities loosen up soon after opening". That is why we need professional managers and trained staff to run them.

As an area leisure manager for Luton, it is my joint responsibility with two others to run six sports centres which have five public indoor pools, six sports halls, outdoor pitches, tennis, netball and squash courts, fitness studios as well as an athletics track.

We do not only ensure that the doors are open at 6 a.m. in some areas and close at 11 p.m., but we ensure full maintenance of plant and equipment, buildings and outdoor areas, cleanliness of all areas at all times, programming of activities for casual, club and association users, bookings for major sporting events at international level, catering for daily and special functions including weddings, while ensuring financial regulations are adhered to and attending policy meetings as well as regular meetings with staff and users.

To assist with the smooth running of the operation, we train all our staff in such basics as first aid, health and safety, violence and aggression, equal opportunities as well as ensuring full-time staff are pool-lifeguard qualified.

All this takes time and dedicated professional staff who are there for the user of the facility. I am a member of the Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management and worked my way up to the top of the profession over a period of 25 years.

Sports and recreation management courses are run by universities and colleges all over England, resulting in a profession run by thousands and covering for millions.

It is now recognised that sports means health. Users of sports facilities are less likely to need medical or psychiatric help now and in the future. Think how much is saved by the health services if people seriously take up sports and fitness.