Friday, 11th July 2008
Financial aid to sports
Recently the government announced a set of schemes which are aimed to alleviate the financial burden on families who send their children to practice sport and also to encourage companies and businesses to support sport organisations.
In a nutshell, parents who send their children to sports activities approved by the Malta Sports Council will be able to deduct up to €100 from their taxable income. At the same time, sport organisations which don’t operate commercially will be assisted by the government where it comes to capital expenditure. Business organisations which support sports will have this financial support deducted from their taxable income.
Parents who send their children to sports activities have commented on this website that the amount earmarked for families is rather low, when one considers the expenses that families have to face.
Nothing was said, however on the incentives being given to the commercial organisations which support sports. Malta is no exception to the rest of the world. Sport organisations and athletes need the money to be able to become professional . Having a steady stream of funding is essential for sports associations to improve their facilities and to help users achieve the best of their potential.
One might agree with those who think that the assistance dedicated for families is a token gesture, but I believe that if one sees the whole package, it’s a good first step. Indeed, I hope more will follow. Our sports sector is not the sole responsibility of the government. Everyone should seek ways to develop the right environment so that athletes can develop.
Well done Kevin!
Congratulations to Kevin Sammut who this week received the Player of the Year award. His award, although a personal one, can be seen as a consolation prize for Marsaxlokk, who various pundits claim, played the best football last season.
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Comments
This measure is aimed at promoting a culture of 'sport for all', thus providing equitable opportunities for young children to engage in regular, active participation in sport. Elsewhere, students are entitled to one hour of physical activity per day - this is part of their national curriculum. The situation in Malta is different, with schools providing with few minutes of active PE per week.
A screening process should take place to ensure that the clubs recognized by this new scheme employ qualified coaches - educators that put the child and not competition at the centre. Only a holistic sports education program will guarantee that what goes on in youth sports clubs is of benefit to our society.
Eman Pulis