The seven clubs participating in the Victory Day regatta this Thursday received a timely boost yesterday as SportMalta launched new initiatives, including valuable assistance to help develop the sport outside of its traditional bases.

Mark Cutajar, SportMalta chief executive, told reporters at the Cottonera Sports Complex that the Regatta Nazzjonali represents one of the oldest traditions on our islands and his organisation is committed to ensuring that the popularity of the sport is maintained.

To this end, SportMalta presented clubs with a cash grant to construct a new Dgħajsa Tal-Pass in time for next year’s races.

“This has always been one of the main items on our agenda since we started our operate,” Cutajar said.

“This year, we thought of giving clubs something that can leave a legacy in each district. So, we have decided to help them construct a new boat that should be ready for the 2017 races.

“We hope this initiative will attract more young rowers to the sport as they also represent the future of our clubs.”

Cutajar said SportMalta will be announcing a series of proposals which should help clubs become financially self-sufficient in future.

“Lately, I’ve spoken to several officials from different localities and it became clear that some of them are finding it very difficult to cope with the financial demands of regatta racing,” he said.

“We are keen to assist regatta clubs achieve more financial stability and, in the near future, we will be discussing new schemes which should help them implement new strategies to operate on a sound and more professional basis.”

Chris Agius, the Parliamentary Secretary for Sport, praised the work carried out by the Għaqda Regatta Nazzjonali, headed by Joseph Grima, and said the authorities are committed to seeing that the sport also expands outside the Grand Harbour basin.

“Right now, rowing might not rank among the major sport we practise but we all feel that there is great potential here and that higher levels can be reached if we all pull together for the same cause,” Agius said.

“The rowing organisation are doing a great job to improve the image of the sport and the Regatta Nazzjonali. They have two new clubs in their fold, Siġġiewi and the University, and that mirrors the growing popularity of rowing.

“We also want to be involved in this drive and our bid to promote the sport could start at schools in the near future.”