SportMalta and the Public Broadcasting Services have reached an agreement so that the national television station will be able to broadcast the matches of the Malta waterpolo national team at the European Championship finals in Croatia, the Times of Malta can confirm.
On Tuesday, Karl Izzo, the president of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta showed his anger and disappointment at the PBS officials after they decided not to acquire the TV rights so that they can broadcast Malta’s matches at the continental finals.
PBS’s decision not to transmit the Euro Championship matches, inevitably, sparked furore among the waterpolo enthusiasts in Malta and there have been consistent calls for the national TV station to reverse the decision.
In the past hours, Education and Sports Minister Clifton Grima intervened on the matter to try and find a solution.
In fact, he contacted SportMalta CEO Mark Cutajar to meet with top officials from PBS to try and solve the matter.
SportMalta and PBS are currently in talks to promote the government’s entity campaign to celebrate its tenth anniversary and promote sport and physical activity.
It is understood that Cutajar has decided to include the European Championship TV rights as part of the package being negotiated and an agreement was reached on Wednesday.
If discussions are successfully concluded between the two parties, PBS will be in charge of the production and the broadcast of Malta’s matches during the continental finals.
Contacted by the Times of Malta, ASA president Karl Izzo said that he was delighted that an agreement was close to being reached.
“I am happy that this matter has been resolved and that Maltese waterpolo enthusiasts will have the opportunity to support our national team, which has provided so much joy to local sport, during their journey to the European Championship finals.
“I would like to thank Sports Minister Clifton Grima and SportMalta CEO Mark Cutajar for their timely intervention and I now hope that all Maltese enthusiasts will follow closely our team’s performances at these championships.”
Malta open their commitments at the European Championship finals when they face Germany on Friday in Zagreb.
