Robert Cutajar, the Opposition spokesperson for youth and sport, addressing the media at the launch of the sports conference.Robert Cutajar, the Opposition spokesperson for youth and sport, addressing the media at the launch of the sports conference.

Former Juventus player Beniamino Vignola, Felice Mariani, the first Italian judoka to win an Olympic medal, and Sky News sports editor Nick Powell, will be among the keynote speakers at a sports conference to be held at the Cottonera Sports Complex between June 6 and 8.

The conference, organised by the Nationalist Party in collaboration with Tim Sport PN, will feature discussions on several sports-related topics, some with a social theme.

These include media, sports administration, psychology, bullying and the benefits of physical exercise in achieving a healthier lifestyle with emphasis on the problem of obesity.

There will also be demonstrations from different sporting disciplines during the three-day conference which was launched yesterday.

“The Opposition believes that sports should transcend politics and this conference is testament to this principle,” Robert Cutajar, the Opposition spokesperson for youth and sports, said yesterday.

“We don’t want to be a passive Opposition who is only there to criticise but during this legislature, we are putting forward our ideas so that Maltese sport continues to move forward.

“This is a manifestation in favour of sport in our country. We are willing to co-operate with the government to ensure that Maltese sport flourishes.

“We need to work to understand the proper values of sports and this is why during this conference, we are going to tackle particular subjects like obesity, racism, inclusivity and the character formation of our children and youths.

“We will also be focusing on bullying, a problem which can be addressed through sport.”

Cutajar has called for sport to figure prominently on the country’s agenda.

“Sport must take its rightful place on the country’s agenda,” he said.

“We need to keep changing the culture ingrained in our mentality... sport is not a pastime but a vital ingredient of our life and health.

“Our efforts towards an active lifestyle must encompass people of all ages, from kindergarten child-ren, University students as well as in day centres where the elderly spend most of their time.”

The outlined subjects will be discussed on June 7 with the participation of several Maltese speakers and foreign guests.

Sharon Gayter, who holds the world record in ultra-distance running, will also be taking part.

Special Olympics will put on a series of sports displays on the final day of the conference which will conclude with a dialogue among the participants during which children and youngsters will have the opportunity to ask questions to present and former athletes.

Cutajar said that Chris Agius, the newly-appointed Parliamentary Secretary for youth and sport, and Kler Azzopardi, from Alternattiva Demokratika, have been invited to attend along with all the local sports associations, Local Councils, the Maltese Olympic Committee and Kunsill Malti għall-iSport who are providing the venue for the sports conference.

Robbie Ebejer, chairman of Tim Sport PN, and Normal Vella, the PN candidate for the MEP elections, were also present for yesterday’s media briefing.

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