40% of the sports electoral pledges have been implemented. This was announced by Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sport, Stefan Buontempo, while giving details of “the drastic changes in the Sports Tourism related scheme in order to reflect the needs of local associations and to maximise Malta’s economic potential in this field.”

These changes, he said, “mean that the Government is honouring another two of its electoral pledges in the sports sector.”

The Parliamentary Secretary said that the aim behind the strengthening of these schemes is to give a better incentive to sports associations to attract not only training camps and sports events but also to attract a number of people to sports events organised in Malta.

He explained that under the Sports Tourism Scheme, the €5 per bed night will be increased to €9 per bed night, applicable for the months between October and March and other rates for the other months. Other changes to this scheme include different rates based on the number of nights athletes spend in Malta.

The Parliamentary Secretary added that in addition, higher rates applicable for activities organised in Gozo will be retained. These changes will make it more attractive for small sports organisations to attract sport related events to Malta.

“The scheme will also include another innovative measure by introducing a €6 contribution per athlete so that sport organisations can organise social activities in tandem with the sport event.”

Dr Buontempo said that the Sport Tourism Scheme will be complemented by another scheme, Attracting Sport Events Scheme which apart from assisting sport organisations in preparing their bid to host the event, a financial assistance of €300 per day of the sport competition, will be given. Sports organisations can benefit from both schemes simultaneously.

“The Government will be investing €350,000 on these schemes, which is the highest investment in this scheme, to date.”

Dr Buontempo said that other schemes will be launched by which sports organisations can improve their web portals, after which they will be linked to the MTA’s website.

The press conference was addressed by Dr Luciano Busuttil, Chairman of the Malta Sports Council (KMS) who said that these schemes will contribute to attract more sports tourists to our country.

More information can be obtained from the office of the Malta Sports Council (KMS) or by calling on 22036000.

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