The Euro-barometer Survey on Sport and Physical Activity (2010) confirmed that the majority of the Maltese (79%) are fully conscious that sport and physical recreation are health-related. Yet last year the same census revealed that our citizens are the most obese in Europe resulting in a very high rate of hear-related diseases. This report also “demonstrates that there are some sections of society that are under-served when it comes to sporting opportunities”.

While in recent years there has been considerable discussion in Malta about the application of ‘educational priority areas’, there has been scant attention to the provision of physical recreation facilities in recreational priority areas. It hurts me to see the trend of Sports Malta, previously known as Kunsill Malti Ghall-Isport, whose priority seems to be more for the construction of a car-racing circuit than the provision of open spaces for all, especially in disadvantaged areas where children and adults can devise and play their games or participate in active recreation.

And does the silence of the new environment champions mean consent to the car-racing circuit? Qui tacit consentire. I already had occasion to remark about the eradication of the previous playing areas inside the Mdina ditch that served the needs of children in densely-populated Rabat as well as the dearth of designed open spaces for physical recreation in the rehabilitated Vittoriosa ditch.

In this regard the Marsascala local council is to be commended for its “open gym” at the beautiful gardens of St Thomas Bay. The council also scored maximum environmental marks for their protection of idyllic Munxar point.

The history of ‘physical recreation for all’ in Malta goes back to the late 1890s when the Temperance Movement of London through the Methodist Church in Malta, offered rambling as “counteractive to the wine shops and low houses of entertainment in which the neighbourhood abounds”.

Since the 1950s the Malta Playing Fields Association was instrumental in the proliferation of playing fields in Malta. Through the good services of the affable Bro Cuthman of the Christian Brothers, our Cottonera committee and later the Marsascala committee were provided with swings, see-saws etc., and open spaces for children to organise their own physical games.

Unfortunately for various reasons many open spaces have been enclosed and their excellent conditions of turf and floodlight are only enjoyed by nurseries and organised teams leaving no space for improvised play.

An attractive zone should not be just a museum piece enjoyed only for its panoramic beauty but it should be fully equipped with open spaces

In modern society leisure has grown markedly for most people. In fact,social scientists contend that the good use of leisure is one of the greatest challenges of the future to the extent that until a few years ago France appointed a Minister of Leisure.

Thanks to advanced technological processes in factories, agriculture and the services field the productive capabilities of workers have increased dramatically.

A shorter working week in addition to a benevolent welfare state, longer vacation leave and sickness benefits have contributed substantially to a better quality of life for those adept of physical recreation and active sports participation.

In the light of the above, the Żonqor natural park covering a tract of pristine land measuring 973,000 square metres is entitled to full protection because of its natural and ecological values, enriched also with a magnificent seascape and landscape. However, such an attractive zone should not be just a museum piece enjoyed only for its panoramic beauty but it should be fully equipped with open spaces for active physical recreation compatible with its “wilderness attraction”.

In order to avoid past blunders in the planning of physical recreational fields, it has to be stressed that any field of service, including park planning and management, must have professionally-trained and well-qualified persons who must have more than nuts-and-bolts knowledge of how to conduct the activities of the park.

Such areas are normally designed not only by architects but also by professional leisure-management designers to create spaces for play for the whole community, with the possibility of a leisure management consultant. The place should be alive with the shouts and mirth of busy children and the physical enjoyment of the masses. That is the essence of Sports for All.

It is the purpose of this feature to present such recommendations thus providing a solid foundation of the behavioural and social principles underlying physical recreation and active leisure in contemporary society.

Traditionally, recreation has been viewed as activity carried on chiefly for relaxation and self-renewal for further work especially in Communist states. Only in recent years has physical recreation (to recreate) has been seen as a valuable aspect of personal growth, a significant social institution and an important community asset.

The park itself should be a stage-setting for human enjoyment which only comes to life when people are using it wholly and well. All the facilities need to be there for young, middle aged and senior citizens, for athletic and paunchy types.

What matters most is how the facilities are put together in relation to the public needs.

Lino Bugeja is honorary president of the Ramblers’ Association.