The Eastern regional Council was declared the European Region of Sport for 2023 on Wednesday after an official letter from President and founder of ACES Europe, Mr Gian Francesco Lupatelli.
ACES Europe, a non-profit association that assigns the recognition of European Region, Capital, City, Community, and Town of Sport, awarded the Maltese region following a visit by the evaluation Commission of ACES Europe in Malta on May 24-25.
During this visit, members had the opportunity to visit numerous sports facilities found within the Region and be able to understand the sports situation in Malta.
ACES Europe’s visit to Malta was to garner a thorough understanding of how the candidate and its population, are promoting through sport, the values of ACES Europe which evolve around the enjoyment of exercise, willingness to achieve, sense of community, learning fair play, and improvement of health.
Among other regions and cities that have benefitted from this award including the likes of Milan, Madrid, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Lisbon, Dublin, Marseille, and The Hauge, last year’s European Region of Sport was Andalucia (Spain), and this year Piemonte (Italy).
“Your region is really a good example of sport for all as an instrument of health, integration, education, and respect which are the main goals of ACES Europe,” the letter read.
This international event is expected to attract sports tourism to Malta, particularly in the Eastern Region, where in addition to keeping a number of athletes active with the various activities, it is expected to promote physical activity in general.
The Eastern Region is made up of the localities of Birkirkara, Għargħur, Gżira, Iklin, Lija, Msida, Pembroke, Pietà, San Ġiljan, Sliema, Swieqi and Ta ‘Xbiex.
In a statement, the region’s council thanked the Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Hon. Clifton Grima, and the Minister for Tourism, Hon. Clayton Bartolo, MEP David Casa, and spokesman for the opposition for their promise of support. They also thanked the CEO of SportMalta, Mr Mark Cutajar, and all the other respective associations who welcomed the delegation to their sports facilities during the inspection visit.
