Ice Sports may yet survive in Malta following the setting up of an association to promote ice sports.

The Eden Ice Arena opened its doors in September 2001 with the view of introducing recreational ice skating and ice sports, such as ice hockey and figure skating, to Malta.

However, the arena is to close on August 24 and is to be converted into a multipurpose hall.

A group of individuals who in the past two years met at the Eden Ice Arena, and organised ice hockey and figure skating leagues and competitions, have now formed the Malta International Ice Sports Association (MIISA) to organise and develop ice sports activities in Malta.

The group is made up mostly of Maltese along with expatriates. The association has been welcomed to Malta's sports community by the Malta Olympic Committee (MOC), whose president, Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco informed the association that it had always been a goal of the Olympic committee to have Maltese representation in future winter Olympic games.

He said international Olympic associations were ready to provide assistance for the realisation of this dream.

For the time being MIISA is working on alternatives to house its future activities.

It will be hosting its inaugural event, the Ice Sports Spectacular, on Tuesday at 8 p.m. It is to be hosted by the Eden Ice Arena and sponsored by McDonalds-Malta.

Entrance to the event will be free. The event will include a figure skating demonstration, a youth ice hockey game and a men's ice hockey game, Malta vs the world.

The association may be reached through Mr Steve Ellis on 7984-9060.