The Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport (AIMS) has presented 56 sports organisations with their registration certificates after completing the process required by the existing schedules in the Law regulating the registration of sporting persons in Malta.
According to Chapter 626 of the Laws of Malta, all sports organisations must be on the Register for Sporting Persons, which falls under the responsibility of the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport.
During a symbolic ceremony held at the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, officials from these organisations were presented with their registration certificates, which now make them compliant with the current Law.
In his address to the various presidents and secretaries general representing these organisations, Minister Clifton Grima emphasised that registration is crucial for the very existence of any sports body, as it grants them legal personality.
Although legal personality may also be obtained through the Malta Business Registry, he reminded that the MBR is bound by the same Act (CAP. 626) to seek authorisation from the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport before registering any sports organisation.
He reiterated that no sports organisation can obtain such status before being registered with AiMS.
Dr Grima remarked that these 56 organisations can now, with full legitimacy, continue to apply to benefit from the various funds offered by the Government, including those from SportMalta used for training, international competitions both in Malta and abroad, as well as for the continued development of their respective sport.
Also present for the ceremony was the chairman of the Authority for Integrity in Maltese Sport, Judge Antonio Mizzi, who stated that what these organisations have achieved is important not only for them as associations and federations, but also for the clubs and academies within them.
Judge Mizzi added that with the successful registration, all members within these organisations – coaches, athletes, and even parents who send their children to train in the respective academies – should also feel proud. He stressed that such a certificate is also a stamp of professionalism and serious governance.
In his address, AiMS Chief Executive Kevin Azzopardi said that everyone present should feel proud of working for the benefit of their Association or Federation in order to become compliant with the law.
He recalled that the Authority for Integrity in Sport, aware that the majority of sports organisations are run by volunteers, launched the REGitALL scheme to assist entities and sports organisations in completing the schedules required by Law.
The REGitALL Scheme offered support from professionals specifically appointed and trained by AiMS to assist in the compilation of this registration.
He explained that these professionals met regularly with officials from these organisations, not only to offer the necessary guidance but also to physically assist them throughout the entire process.
Azzopardi noted that it is now important for every registered sports organisation to continue operating with good governance and serve as an example to other federations.
The AiMS Chief Executive made an appeal to the sports organisations present to encourage and support their member clubs so they too begin the application process, ensuring that all of them become compliant with the Law and are eventually officially registered by the end of the year.
