Sport School to open in September

Malta’s most promising athletes in different sport will start attending the National Sport School next September as the government steps up its drive to adopt a holistic approach towards sports development. Report: Valhmor Camilleri

Speaking during his annual meeting with the media at the Bacchus Restaurant, Clyde Puli, the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport, gave a detailed review of the government’s work towards sports last year and laid out his plans for 2012.

“The National Sport School is one of the major goals set by the government for 2012,” Puli said.

“At present, our athletes face huge pressure to combine a sports career with their studies.

“The main objective of this project is to give our youngsters ample time to practise their sport during school hours and at the same time, receive the educational formation they need.

“Prospective Form One students who are deemed to have great potential in their sport, will be given the opportunity to apply. Their applications will be scrutinised by a panel of selectors made up of highly-qualified coaches who will assess every candidate before deciding whether he/she meets the criteria to attend the school.

“Our target is for the National Sport School to open its doors for two classes of students in September. They will have three compulsory disciplines, namely gymnastics, swimming and athletics, besides their favourite sport.”

The National Sport School is not the only project intended to boost the development of upcoming athletes, Puli stressed.

Over the coming weeks, the government will continue to strengthen the Youth Development Scheme which, in the past years, helped to provide talented athletes, such as double trap shooter Nathan Lee Xuereb, with the right preparation to maximise their potential.

Furthermore, Puli said, the government will also launch a Snooker Academy which will be located at the Tal-Qroqq complex. Malta champion Alex Borg will run the academy which will also see the participation of professional player Tony Drago.

“In 2012, we will continue to support our elite athletes and to this end, we have opened a new section within the army whereby athletes will be allowed to train on a full-time basis,” Puli emphasised.

“In addition, last year we extended the 20/20 leave scheme to the private sector and we are subsidising sports leave for Maltese athletes taking part in international competitions, both in Malta and abroad.”

Puli said the government is not only committed to supporting the athletes but also wants to improve the level of coaching and administration at the local federations.

“To reach this goal, we shall be offering a number of scholarships for coaches and administrators to follow courses at the University of Malta and specialise in various areas such as sports medicine and coaching,” he said.

With regards to sports infrastructure, Puli said the government will maintain its drive to pass more sports facilities to local federations. In 2011, 16 sites were transferred to associations while in the past three years, a total of 124 sites, worth €46 million, were leased to 111 sports entities.

“There are also plans to construct two new squash courts at the University Sports Complex and two new basketball courts for the Malta Basketball Association at an estimated cost of €800,000,” Puli announced.

“We are also hopeful that the motor sport entities reach an agreement so that the project of a new motorsport track will materialise.”

Away from the sporting arena, Puli said the government will continue with its campaign to encourage more people to conduct a healthy lifestyle.

The Outdoor Gym and Fitness Centre in Ta’ Qali has been a huge success with the public and three similar centres will be installed in Mellieħa, Qormi and Attard.

Also, sports facilities in schools are being made available to the public and over 600 people are using athletics tracks in schools to do their daily jogs or walks.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Sport reiterated the government’s belief that partnerships between the public and private sectors are essential to undertake ambitious projects such as the Marsa Sports Village and the White Rocks Sports Village.

“The involvement of private companies in such projects is very important to ensure their future sustainability,” Puli said.

Puli stressed that the government is firmly intent on bolstering its fight against bribery in sport.

Meanwhile, Puli also revealed yesterday that the government’s proposals to transfer a site, adjacent to the Hibs Stadium, to Hibernians FC and a piece of land in Ħal-Farruġ to Valletta FC, have been approved by the Parliament.

Sports initiatives

• 13 new teachers for the Sport Promotion Unit

• Set-up of National Anti-Doping Agency

• €350,000 allocated for Sports Tourism

• New sport programmes for the elderly

• Sport activities in nine colleges

• Refurbishment works in bowls pitches

• Strengthening of KMS as a regulatory body

• Fiscal incentives to companies who support local sport through sponsorships

• Fiscal incentives for children who attend nurseries

• Fiscal benefits on structural work in sports facilities