The Kunsill Malti għall-iSport (KMS) and the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (MEUSAC) last weekend organised a consultation session and a number of workshops on the European Commission’s Communication on Sport.

The aim of this activity, held at the Cottonera Sports Complex, was to discuss the recently-launched policy document, titled ‘Developing the European dimension of Sport’, with national sports associations and federations registered with the KMS.

This policy document sets out the Commission’s ideas for EU-level action in the field of sport and raises a number of proposed actions evolving around three broad dimensions which focus on: the societal role of sport, the economic dimension of sport and the organisation of sport.

Participants had the opp-ortunity to put forward their opinions and ideas relating to local challenges in sport and how the sector needs to develop within these dimensions.

The feedback and contributions made by stakeholders are expected to be developed further and included in a report which will be presented to the Council and the European Parliament.

Vanni Xuereb, the head of MEUSAC, said that these consultation sessions give local stakeholders and the civil society the opportunity to participate actively in the EU’s legislative process. In so doing, they have a direct impact on the formulation of Malta’s position, in this particular case, on the Commission’s Communication on Sport.

In his speech, Bernard Vassallo, the KMS chairman, said the KMS believes that it is essential that sports associations and clubs are aware of the possibilities and platforms available under the EU Sport Programme, moreso as sport has become a fully-fledged policy of the European Union under the Treaty of Lisbon.

Further sessions on how the EU intends to support sport are due to be held by the KMS and MEUSAC in the near future.

For more information send an email to communications@ sportmalta.org.mt or alternatively consult.meusac@gov.mt.