The European Commission last week launched the European Week of Sport, an initiative to promote participation in sport and physical activity among the continents’ citizens.
Looking back to the success of last year, more than 15,000 local events were organised with around 10 million participants across Europe.
This year will mark the third edition of the European Week of Sport. This growing initiative led by the European Commission will take place between September 23 and 30.
To reach out to even more participants with a positive encouragement to be active all year long, the European Commission sees that the role of the National Sport Ambassadors as crucial.
A meeting was held last week in Brussels between all European National Sport Ambassadors to establish as from this year a Network of #BeActive representatives, which would include all ambassadors who wish to keep the #BeActive message alive.
Karl Izzo, appointed by SportMalta to be the National Sport Ambassador for the #BeActive campaign, attended the first important meeting held in Brussels which had European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Tibor Navracsics as one of the main speakers.
Christian Karembeu, Sport Ambassador of the campaign, said: “We can use sport as a tool for education but also as a tool for integration”.
The France 1998 World Cup winner’s message is on a par with the Maltese Presidency priorities for sport to act as a platform for social inclusion.
A council conclusion in this regard was presented and approved by the council of ministers last May.
“It was a unique experience to meet all the European Sport Ambassadors, I am now looking forward to give my input to this important event and to act as a spokesman to encourage more people of all ages to participate in sport events and be physically active,” Izzo, the Malta waterpolo national coach, said.
“Together with SportMalta we are working on numerous initiatives that appeal to everyone’s taste so that all will have the opportunity to find an activity that fits their lifestyle.
“The most important thing is to #BeActive.”