Amid the perennial controversy about what is black and what is white in the economy it is important that one does not lose sight of Malta’s competitive advantages, even if probing questions have to continue to be put to show up weaknesses with a view to remedying them. Strengths and advantages are always there to be identified, appreciated and built upon. It is only pessimists who do not see them.
The inputs to and components of the product called Malta have various fundamental weaknesses which analysts and columnists like this one do not cease to point out and emphasise. We do so not to echo Cassandra, but to attempt to paint reality in its true colours.
The colours are not all drab. There are some bright ones reflecting great strengths. It would not be just sad, but also foolish to fail to highlight them. For instance, we do not do very well in international sporting events, to put it mildly. But we do cut a bit of a figure on the rugby field, and in games for small countries and for the disabled. We have also put ourselves as a venue on the snooker map, not only through the speedy exploits of Tony Drago, but also by organising an annual competition.
This has become a ranking fixture on the games calendar, attracting participation by the leading players in the game, including present and recent champions, and promising aspirants who should top the rankings in due course.
It would be more than gratifying if our home-grown players advance in the local international competition. But it is satisfying that it is held. Maybe the time for greatness will come. Meanwhile our islands can continue to win the attention of who knows how many snooker lovers around the world, given the international coverage given to the event, including on the Eurosport channels.
It would take many more resources to build up Malta as a venue for a major annual tennis tournament, and such a prospect is well beyond the golfing horizon, where no progress has been made despite endless talk about an international-level golf course at the political level. Still, the strength achieved in organising an international snooker event even annually should inspire confidence that, to strive with similar positive intent in tennis and, eventually, golf would not be a foolish dream, once a decision is taken.
The resources that would have to be mobilised and channelled to turn such a dream into a reality would not create a mothballed project to be utilised once a year. They would build up Malta’s infrastructure to relate better to higher quality tourism. It is not impossible to envisage that this could be done if our leading hoteliers were encouraged to pool their resources. It was not so long ago that a number of them operating in the St Julians area were prepared to look into such a possibility. The opportunity was wasted, but could be revived.
Moving from possibilities to the actual, we are all proudly aware that we have great strengths in the cultural world. Tenor Joseph Calleja and Soprano Miriam Gauci’s magnificent trek along the international operatic scene has been more than ably complemented by the internationally acclaimed violinist Carmine Lauri.
The personal talent and strength of this remarkable trio breathe forth engaging hope of further national strength. And if for a time it seemed that we would have a long wait for a local footballer to become as established abroad as Carmel Busuttil did, we have since been able to observe and enjoy the mark made on the English stage by our two internationals, Michael Mifsud and Daniel Bogdanovich. Andre Svhembri and Justin Haber did so too elsewhere. These successes demonstrate that little Malta can aspire to reach the strength shown by the small population of Iceland to the delight of those who follow the bouncing ball. There are other Maltese footballers playing abroad who are also making a name for themselves.
From time to time we also have corporate success at the international level, with awards going to our leading hotels. Such individual and corporate success stories demonstrate, above all, that Malta has the inherent ability within to compete and make it. There are good examples for the Malta product to look up to.
Much more needs to be done, especially at the early school level. That is not to say that nothing is being attempted. Various football clubs, for instance, have nurseries that try to spot and encourage talent as early as can be. What is required, though, is a bigger effort at the national level.
The government includes a Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport, which is welcome as it ensures that there is someone who can focus on the area and act as a voice for it inside the government, especially to work for more resources – that concept again – to be allocated to the sector.
A time of financial stringency may not be the best time to call for more state resources to be allocated to sport, in the context of careful planning. The Minister of Finance will no doubt be advised that there are many more compelling priorities. That has to be appreciated. Nevertheless, this is another area where investing in the future should be given much more than residual attention.