Agreements with two Gozitan sports clubs announced
Gozitan sports clubs will be benefiting from a government scheme to expand their operations, the government announced.
The Otters Aquatic Sports Club and the Xewkija Tigers Football Club signed agreements which will allow them to better invest in their club and athletes. The two clubs will benefit from the SportMalta scheme, which means the government will provide a 95% subsidy on acquisitions of government lands in order to be converted into sports facilities. Rent paid by the clubs will be put into a Sports Fund, which will be used to further investment in local sports.
SportMalta and the Otters Aquatic Sports Club signed an agreement which indicates that three boathouses in the Marsalforn area have been passed on to the sports club with a licence for 45 years. Through the scheme the club will be paying a fee of €120, rather than the current value of €2,400.
In their agreement with SportMalta, the Xewkija Tigers Football Club has received land measuring approximately 400.5 sq.m. The lease is for 45 years and the land will be utilised as offices. Through the scheme the club will be paying a fee of €250 yearly instead of the current value of €4,500.
The two agreements were signed during two separate events and were presided over by the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima alongside Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri.
Minister Grima said that the sports clubs and associations provide a service to Maltese society and the children. He said that these agreements are part of a government initiative to provide help and opportunity to grow the sector. Grima said that these agreements are part of the process allowing Maltese clubs to reach their potential and continue contributing to Malta’s economy.
Minister Camilleri said that these agreements exemplify the government’s commitment to assisting Gozitan sports associations and unions. He said that this aid reflects their plan and vision to continue strengthening the sports sector and improve the level of sports and athlete investment in Gozo.
SportMalta deputy chairman Matthew Pisani said that the organisation is committed to ensure that the sports sector and those involved are given all possible help.