Kirill Micallef Stafrace, Attard
It's results that count
I refer to the letter by Kevin Drake Initiatives To Promote Sports Tourism, (April 6). Firstly, although my letter to The Times appeared on March 30 it was sent on March 25 at 2.08 p.m. Hence, it would have been rather hard to avail myself of the information circulated in the MTA press conference on March 27.
However, I would like to comment that in the MTA letter the name of the "wholly independent company" that valued the PR exposure of MTA sponsorship was omitted. This "wholly independent company" was apparently commissioned not by the MTA but by Sheffield United itself! Whatever the alleged PR value, it is the increase in tourism figures that should be provided, once Mr Drake so pointedly considers this the only remit of the MTA.
I commend the MTA on the fact that a sports specific segment, whatever that is, has been set up within the MTA four years ago. It is encouraging to note that discussions are being held with the Kunsill Malti għall-iSport and the Parliamentary Secretariat for Youth and Sport. All well and good. Now let us see the results and the MTA should commission a "wholly independent company" itself for the sake of credibility.
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Albert Spiteri
Apr 9th 2009, 14:55
Elsewhere, MTA declares that an independent report commissioned by Sheffield United and MTA, carried out by Havas Sports Insight (who are not an auditors but a PR experts) states that it would be difficult to quantify exactly how much the value of the Malta exposure, advertising and branding is.
Thus, (1) notwithstanding the obvious difficulties in quantifying net returns for such investment, (2) considering the bad performance of our tourist sector and (3) the rotten state our national finances are in; doesn't Mr. Drake even consider that this was (to say the least) a bad deal for Malta (definitely not for SUFC) and should not have been renewed!?
Dr. Kirill Micallef Stafrace was correct. Taxpayers' millions invested locally for the benefit of local sports and sports tourism is by far wiser.
Kirill Micallef Stafrace
Apr 9th 2009, 12:01
talking about results
the MAAA will be hosting an international meet on April 18th, some 170
foreign athletes should be participating.
a cypriot boxing team recently held a training camp in Malta
The cycling Tour of Malta was extrememly well attended by foreign cyclists as was the Malta Marathon.
Here we are not even mentioning the accompanying officials and relatives/friends.
These are the results we want to see- athletes and teams that come over here and help raise the level and profile of local sport while at the same time generating income for our economy.
Roberto Vella
Apr 9th 2009, 11:18
Micallef Stafrace has a point on this one. If MTA really wants to assess the benefits of its expenditure and its strategy, it should not expect the beneficiary of the sponsorship to quantify this. It should be MTA itself which appoints such an independent entity. It's much like MTA carrying its own financial statements' audit - what independence is there if it were to be so? None and that is why it commissions independent auditor who reports not to its directors but to the shareholders!
If I may give a recommendation - it would be better if MTA and Micallef Stafrace, who if i am not mistaken is running for MEP, were to come together and join forces to develop and area of mutual interest. Given MTA's resources and Micallef Stafrace knowledge on the subject (and possibly his clout as an MEP which I sincerely augur he'll manage) the country as a whole stands to benefit
Charles Zammit
Apr 9th 2009, 09:55
Right on Kirill! It is the results that count.
We cannot afford trials and errors any more. Whether its in the sports sector or even the tourism sector.
So I urge people in authorities to start putting words into actions!