PRESS RELEASE BY THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIAT FOR PUBLIC WORKS Public Works drives major investment in sports sector – 77 projects carried out in 21 sports associations within one year

From 2024 to date, the Public Works Department has established itself as an important partner to voluntary sports associations through essential and impactful works that have strengthened the operations of these organisations.

In fact, over the past year, the Public Works Department carried out 77 projects in 21 different sports associations, with a total investment of more than a quarter of a million euro. This was announced by Parliamentary Secretary for Public Works Omar Farrugia during a visit to another project completed by Public Works at the Lija Athletics F.C. Nursery.

At this nursery, which will host around 200 children in the upcoming season, maintenance works were carried out on a wall with a total surface area of 300 square metres.

Parliamentary Secretary Omar Farrugia remarked that the work carried out by the Public Works Department within sports associations complements the unprecedented investment that the Government has implemented and announced in recent years for the voluntary and sports sector.

He explained that each project undertaken by the Public Works Department within sports organisations allows these voluntary associations to direct more resources towards their beneficiaries, who make use of and benefit from the services they provide.

Parliamentary Secretary Farrugia reiterated that the Government regards every voluntary organisation as a key socio-economic pillar in shaping the Malta of today and tomorrow. “It is this belief that drives our work to provide voluntary organisations, Maltese culture and traditions, with the tools and protection they need to continue delivering value at every level of our society," Parliamentary Secretary Farrugia concluded.

Malcolm Fenech, the President of Lija Athletics F.C., explained how, with the help of the work carried out by Public Works, a tangible difference is being made in the environment of this Nursery's facilities. In Fenech's words, “for the children, it is nice to be in a clean and organized environment — something that every nursery places great importance on."

Throughout the year, the works carried out by the Public Works Department in sports associations ranged from general maintenance within and around facilities, cleaning and resurfacing of pitches, refurbishment of changing rooms, holistic regeneration in bocci clubs, heating of waterpolo clubs and active involvement in the inauguration of the first ever FIFA Arena mini-pitch in San Pawl il-Baħar in recent weeks.