Lm50,000 Maltacom boost for MOC and GSSE 2003

When the fifth Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) were held in Malta way back in 1993 Telemalta was one of the main sponsors of that edition.

The islands will again host the GSSE next year and the same telecommunications company, now Maltacom, has yet again pledged its strong support. And what a boost it turned out to be for local sports as Maltacom and the Malta Olympic Committee yesterday signed a partnership deal for an 18-month package worth Lm50,000.

After winning the bid to host the games in Liechtenstein three years ago, the GSSE 2003 Organising Committee, under the chairmanship of Parliamentary Secretary Jesmond Mugliett, immediately laid out a strategy which was carefully planned and so far executed perfectly to the smallest detail.

Various aspects of the GSSE 2003 were already looked at including the venues, disciplines in contest and logos. However, as MOC president Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco remarked yesterday, time for the organising committee to delve into the marketing values of the games was running fast.

The Maltacom deal, which gets into immediate effect until December 2003, was described as a record sponsorship package by the company's Chief Executive Officer Stephen Muscat.

The GSSE, he said, are of national concern as they provide an historical and memorable event generating national pride and enthusiasm in the community. Events of this type, are a blending of sport, culture and education. They provide experiences not just for the athletes but for the spectators as well.

Muscat added: "Positive results in the last three GSSEs have provided an incentive for our athletes to aspire further and to generate interest and continued support by the public and the business community."

'Win-win situation'

Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco agreed and sounded optimistic.

"Without doubt, our showings in Iceland, Liechtenstein and San Marino were superb, one performance better than the other and that certainly encouraged us to work even harder," he said.

"Since winning that bid in Vaduz we never stopped one minute and the Maltacom deal, which was clinched mainly thanks to the contribution of our marketing department, was the climax of our preparations so far.

"Maltacom and the MOC are in a win-win situation now, I am positively sure about that. We believe that results next year will be our best ever in the GSSE."

GSSE Marketing Director and MOC official Michael Soler said partner sponsors, such as Maltacom, are an integral part of making the games successful and will help enhance the whole experience for spectators and athletes alike.

By joining forces with the organising committee as a partner sponsor for GSSE 2003, Soler said, Maltacom will receive a number of rights which include exclusivity in category, major exposure opportunities tied to the Games' promotions, rights of images of Maltese sports persons and right to issue a telecard with the GSSE 2003 brands attributes.

It is believed that the Lm50,000 package is equally divided between cash and telecommunications services.

Maltacom will assist the MOC with its logistical requirements facilitating the ease of communications between the different venues with the provisions of ADSL services and a wide range of services. On-line live video streaming of the games will also be available.

Maltacom Group Chairman, Maurice Zarb Adami described the package as a positive contribution.

"It is our policy to encourage the type of international communication and dialogue stimulated by these events," he said. "We expect to get the deserved exposure during the games but we also seek to see our athletes performing honourably for the country."

Mugliett also expressed his satisfaction that Maltacom will be backing the MOC and sponsor the GSSE 2003. He described the two entities as equally professional.

"The benefits of this deal will not only make the successful hosting of the games possible, but it will also permeate other events and eventually all national associations affiliated with the MOC," he said.

He added that with their support, Maltacom is sending out two main messages - everyone can benefit through the association with sports and sports is a means of communication.