MHA appoint new management board for the next four years

The Malta Handball Association appointed a new management board for the next four years during an Extraordinary General Meeting held on Wednesday.

During the meeting, chaired by MHA president Paul Zammit, it was announced that the local governing body feels that these modern and challenging times, the new administration had to amend and upgrade its current method of organisation to help push the growth of handball in Malta.

In line with the more modern and future looking plans of the association, a new Association badge was presented during the EGM and was unanimously approved.

“The association’s target is to become one of the top three team sports in Malta in terms of popularity over the next few years,” the MHA said in a statement.

“Its aim is to give importance to having a good management structure in place to cater for the current competitions and the respective clubs.

“Youth development is crucial, and therefore the association is planning to invest in development programmes for a better future of the game and national teams.

“Another important aspect would be to promote and use beach handball as an attraction for sports tourism and as part of its outreach program to attract more players and spectators to the game.”

On his part, Malta Handball Association president Paul Zammit said “Handball is a fast, attractive and exciting game. In several countries, especially European, it ranks as one of the top sports and don’t see any reason why we cannot aim in reaching similar targets obviously within the limitations of our size and population.

“Handball has the potential for growth and it’s our duty to make it happen, be it at indoor or at beach handball level. We need to give it that extra bit to improve the exposure and I believe that this can happen through a good outreach and development programmes.”

As regards the COVID-19 pandemic the MHA said that it is closely monitoring the situation and currently abiding to the guidelines issued by the Health authorities and SportMalta.

“Like many associations the MHA is concerned whether its competitions, that normally start towards the end September, could commence however the wellbeing of our players and coaches comes first.

“Although these are frustrating times for all, our obligation is to promote a safe environment throughout.”