Before it is too late...

This letter goes out to Nigel Debono, who was injured in a hit and run accident... and also to all government officials to seriously look at what can be a serious ever-growing problem if nothing is done to help these particular youths.

I have spent the past seven months writing letters and being interviewed by newspapers and magazines. I had written even a 16-page document a while back. Some of it contained certain predicaments that are inevitable to happen if nothing is done to help young alternative sport (BMX, skateboarding, rollerblading etc) enthusiasts with a real proper place to progress. One of these predicaments included unnecessary intolerance (which by the way is unjustifiably wrong for such a positive popular sport, skateboarding) and the other was safety issues.

There is a real lack of "skate spots" in Malta. To tell the truth, the only real proper safe place is the "Msida subway". The ones which are somewhat good have one hitch; they lead to roads. Skaters in Malta do the best with what they have, which is why skaters here are among the most dedicated breed of skaters in the world. They will do anything to learn and progress because the feeling is quite profound (which I'm not sure too many people could relate to). People will skate roads if they have to. We (Malta Skaters United) always knew the consequences of not having a proper skate park in Malta and it really saddens me that we are 100 per cent right about these inevitable predictions (such as skaters getting run over by cars).

I have been skating for eight-and-a-half years and I have heard of car/skater collisions every year since I started. I have even eye-witnessed two cases and it is only pure luck that they walked away or survived. However, the incident with Mr Debono is simply atrocious and luck was not on his side. The whole story left me with a sour taste in my mouth.

For those in power... You have the power and you can slow down these types of incidents from happening. Malta Skaters United are here to offer our services to you. We want to help you come up with a real solution that will improve the standard of living of society for young people by making a proper place where children can progress in safety and out of harm's way. After all, this is why we are pushing so hard for a public skate park on this tiny island of ours. People will always go to a good proper skate park. The island only needs one public skate park really. This too means that it must be excellent to suit everyone who would want to use it.

The subway has proven to be an excellent place, so why not make one there?

I know the government is really busy with the wellbeing of this country. This has to do with the wellbeing of young people. We really need help and some compassion in this matter. Please help us before the option of having a proper skate park becomes obsolete altogether (and it will, considering that things here are constantly being renovated or knocked down for new structures). Please help us before more "Nigel Debono" stories are in the newspapers. This story really saddens me and the saddest part is that more similar occurrences will happen if nothing is done.

For Mr Debono... I don't know you but we are skaters and we share the same bond. I am pretty sure that you and I would get along just fine. What gets me is that maybe I have met you, since in a way, skaters seem to all know each other. On behalf of Malta Skaters United and every skater on this island we wish you a fast recovery and hope you are on that wonderful thing we call a skateboard, soon.