Sailing & chess among new disciplines to be taught to Gozitan children

by Gozo News · November 16, 2015

"Gozitan children will have the opportunity to learn how to sail and considering that Gozo is a tiny island surrounded by the sea, this sport should surely not just be for the children in Gozo," said the Minister for Gozo Dr Anton Refalo.

The Minister was speaking during the launch of an open day being organised by the Gozo Youth Sailing Club – Imperial Yacht Club Gozo, in collaboration with On the Move SkolaSport.

For this purpose, the Gozo Youth Sailing Club is organising an open day this coming Saturday, the 21st of November at Mgarr Harbour (Jetty G/H) between 10am and 4pm in the afternoon for children, both boys and both girls, between 8 and 16 years.

This day will be a basic course of introduction to sailing, sea practice and games on the ground. All this to encourage more children to participate in sport in Gozo.

No experience is necessary, but children need to know how to swim and have the signatures of parents or guardians to participate. A change of clothes and a towel will be needed, and please wear suitable shoes, i.e. rubber sole/trainers.

"This new venture for children has been made possible because the Imperial Yacht Club Gozo has benefited from a total of over € 40,000 from the Ministry for Gozo, through the Eco-Gozo scheme for NGOs," Dr Refalo said.

This project is aimed at children between 8 and 16 years and the funds have been used to purchase dinghies, inflatable boats, life jackets and educational equipment and assistance to help to train these Gozitan children, the Minister said.

This further expands the disciplines being taught in the On the Move SkolaSport programme in Gozo, following the new services also being offered by the Tennis Association and now even chess, where international tournament organisers have offered to teach Gozitans the game of chess through SkolaSport and in schools.

Dr Refalo reiterated that the Ministry for Gozo had a clear vision when it created the Gozo Sports Board, as ever more emerging sports come to the fore. Gozitan children and young people are finding more places where they can spend their free time in different sports to help them strengthen both physically and psychologically.

Minister Refalo concluded by saying that the Ministry for Gozo believes that "school and sport go hand in hand because they mirror each other."