Government to step up fight against doping - Mugliett

Minister for Youth and the Arts Jesmond Mugliett yesterday urged local sports administrators and athletes to consolidate what has been achieved last year after the successful organisation of the Games of the Small States of Europe, the development the 2003 Games brought about and the enactment of a new Sports Law in particular.

Delivering his first policy speech of the current legislature, also the first since his responsibilities were elevated to a ministry, Mr Mugliett said it was the right time to look ahead, keep the good work going and come up with new initiatives as one strong team.

"Our main topic on the agenda is always to generate more interest in sport for the benefit of the people and the country's economy," he told sports officials, federation delegates and Sportivi Nazzjonali finalists at the Mediterranean Conference Centre.

"Indeed, 2003 has been a fantastic year of sport and successes," Mr Mugliett said as he looked back over the past 12 months.

"Besides the remarkable results in GSSE sport and various other disciplines, including rugby, pool, triathlon, bowling, wrestling, table football and cricket, 2003 also saw the completion of the Cottonera Sports Complex and other venues which are now up to international standard."

There was a great activity in 2003 and this helped local sport to draw the attention from different quarters. These days, there's more focus from the government side on sport in general, Mr Mugliett noted.

The Malta Sports Council is now leading a direct role, also aided by the new Sports Law. More responsibilities were handed to this body.

The facilities at Marsa, the Cottonera Sports Complex and the National Pool Complex are among the venues being administered by the Malta Sports Council which issues permits for special works undertaken by foreigners in connection with sport and is in constant liaison with the ministry to see that development is sustained regularly.

Doping is a major issue in sport nowadays. With the threat from the use of illegal substances becoming even more dangerous, government is duty-bound to tackle the issue even though the country still lags behind others in this matter.

However, Mr Mugliett said, with the new legislation now in place, it is time to come up with new policies in the fight against doping in sport.

"We've just had the Anti-Doping Advisory Board set up," he said.

"With the backing of the Sports Law this group is responsible to prepare new agendas and counter the doping threat. The board, composed of various officials from different organisations, has to work in line with the World Anti-Doping Agency and introduce new rules.

"We intend to be serious in our fight against doping. Government will spend Lm10,000 in this regard this year."

Better co-operation

The minister then recognised the key role the Malta Olympic Committee (MOC) is playing in the development of sport in our country. Relations were somewhat rusty after the GSSE in June. Mugliett warned that little could be achieved if there's no teamwork among all parties concerned.

"We are coming from five years of close collaboration with the MOC where government has increased its financial aid as the build-up to the GSSE 2003 drew closer.

"Sport has never had it so good and the MOC's profile grew in stature as a result of all this," he said.

"However, to keep the momentum going we have to function as a unit - government, MOC and Malta Sports Council. We have to work in cohesion and see that all our initiatives are in liaison with each other.

"Nothing is achieved if there's no harmony between us. All quarters have to show more respect for each other and seek to strengthen relations even further. No party can work on its own here."

The new Sports Act gives full recognition to the MOC in its preparation for major events, Mr Mugliett said as he cited part of the law to sustain his point.

"These last few years, the MOC had introduced efficient programmes in the athletes' build-up for international events. However, we now reckon it is time to regulate sport financing. We think that our aid to the MOC should be more focused on special programmes for elite sport."

On development of more facilities, Mr Mugliett then said that government's plan to add more sports infrastructure and upgrade other sites will carry on relentlessly.

He said the main purpose of having various sports centres in different areas was to see more people playing an active role in sports and provide national federations with up-to-date facilities where they can organise competitions and use as headquarters.

The next target is another complex at Tal-Karwija, limits of Safi. The coming months should see the start of this project. Completion of works is expected near the end of 2005.

The major source of assistance for Maltese athletes in the GSSE build-up came from the government side. But now that the Games are over, will this aid continue for the benefit of our athletes?

"No doubt," Mr Mugliett said, "we intend to continue on the same lines of assistance and perhaps increase the aid. Apart from the budget vote for sport, all income from rents, collected by the Malta Sports Council, will go to a special fund. This will be dedicated to the upkeep of our sports centres.

"These past few years we introduced new criteria where financial assistance should be given. Government helps clubs to hold annual manifestations, like the volleyball marathon, or private entities to develop their own facilities. Non-profit organisations, holding international tournaments, will also get our backing."

Lately, there was agreement with the MOC where our assistance was to be dedicated to certain initiatives. Government, Mr Mugliett said, is of the opinion that those in elite programmes should get greater assistance.

"Our standard pattern in the future is for us to assist in similar projects, planned by the MOC with federations that show a certain level of progress," he said.

"Those outside these initiatives will still benefit from funds passed on to them directly by the Malta Sports Council."

Mr Mugliett said his top priority in financing programmes was to see more changes and progress as he urged all sports bodies to show better strategy and edge nearer to professionalism in their administrative routines.

He revealed that the sports ministry will soon be issuing a booklet, promoting Malta's facilities in a bid to boost sports tourism, something that would reap great benefits to all parties concerned.

Government's challenge this year will be to strengthen bonds adopting sports as an ideal tool. Obviously, government cannot act alone, Mr Mugliett said. To win the fight against doping and for various schemes to foster there needs to be an all-round participation. Only this can lead to another year of benefits through sport.