On Friday all Maltese and Gozitan schools celebrated the day dedicated to sport, an initiative of Sport Malta together with the European Commission as part of the activities of the European Week of Sport.
Apart from the many primary, middle and secondary schools that organised the activities in their schools, SportMalta held its main activity at the Tal-Qroqq Complex.
More than 500 children of second and third primary classes attended 75 minutes of physical activity presented by the popular actors DanuSan.
The schools of Sliema, San Ġiljan, San Ġwann, Pembroke and Gżira did a number of physical activities and dances and received a message that sport and physical activity are important for a healthy life, from both a physical and mental point of view.
This event is also a prelude to another schedule of the On the Move programme that will start next week in schools and various SportMalta complexes.
Present for this event was the Minister of Education and Sport, Clifton Grima who conveyed the message of SportMalta so that Malta is more active, inclusive and successful.
SportMalta chief executive Mark Cutajar encouraged the children to deliver a message to their parents and grandparents on the importance of doing at least half an hour every day of an activity such as a walk in the locality where they live.
Also present are the Coordinators of Malta for the European Week of Sport, Rose Marie Mercieca and the Principal of the College Jonathan Attard.
The European Day of Sport in Schools, which is part of the European Week of Sport initiative, involves physical activity that encourages children to #BeActive for at least 120 minutes a day or to run or walk a certain amount of distance.
It is a festival that gives schools the chance to support social inclusion, help students develop social skills, engage young people in physical activity, and promote health and well-being to support learning throughout the life.
Participating in sports outside of school also helps to learn new skills both for physical activity and for daily life that are beneficial for every individual, both children and adults.
The European Commission encourages healthy lifestyles in schools by emphasising the value of physical activity and sport for promoting healthy learning and development.
This year’s theme, Go Green, is to use the power of sport to help the environment and sustainability.
Environmental and educational initiatives have been integrated to improve physical activity by encouraging the use of public transport, walking, and cycling and by building ecological infrastructure, encouraging physical exercise, and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
