Swimming and the National Pool

Maurice M. Gruppetta, Executive Chairman, National Pool Complex Administration Board, writes:

Reference is made to Jesmond Dalli's article regarding the National Pool Complex (The Times, December 27). On behalf of the Administration Board of the National Pool Complex, I would like to assure Mr Dalli that we agree that swimming needs a further boost and that we all strive to have better facilities.

There are, however, a number of points that we disagree with and we feel do not deserve such comments.

Referring to the December swimming meeting, we would like to state that it is in the hands of the Aquatic Sports Association and in fact, is kept under lock and key by the ASA.

Furthermore, an ASA official has denied the allegations regarding delays. I am also informed that this timing equipment was repaired some 18 months ago, from funds allocated by the government, to ensure that it is to the level expected for international competitions.

We have held several international competitions in the past 18 months and we have had no complaints regarding the functioning of the equipment.

Mr Dalli seems to know of a report on shortcomings pointed out by a GSSE delegation. To date, the Administration Board is not aware of the reservations referred to in the article.

The problem regarding heating has cropped up many times.

Our records show that in the last month there were only three occasions where the pool was not heated in excess of 26 degrees. On two of these occasions the temperature was within the parameters set for competition by FINA - the international governing body.

The decision to close over the Christmas period is not a new one. In fact, the pools have been closed every year since the complex's opening in 1993 with one exception. During that particular year, the usage during that two-week period was so minimal that it was not worth repeating.

The Parliamentary Secretariat, through the Administration Board of the Complex, has boosted swimming in Malta. Apart from the subsidy in thousands of liri to the local clubs as well as to the public in general through low rates for pool usage, the increase in membership every year is ample proof of such a boost in swimming activities.

After Malta's poor performance in the swimming competition in the GSSE games in Liechtenstein in 1999, the Parliamentary Secretariat re-established the Swimming Promotion Unit. This unit is costing the government over Lm10,000 per year. The hundreds of children who are being introduced to the sport have definitely given swimming a much-needed boost.

The sensational tone of Mr Dalli's letter is much regretted. We feel that in his profession as a journalist he should not rely on personal impressions but check his facts with the authorities concerned.

To our knowledge, neither the ASA, the Pool Administration Board nor the Parliamentary Secretariat were contacted for their comments prior to publication.

As stated previously, swimming deserves the support of all sectors, and we are open to suggestions and positive comments wherever they may come from.

Jesmond Dalli replies:

It seems that Maurice M. Gruppetta, the chairman of the Administration Board at the National Pool, did not get the message from the article published on December 27.

He agrees that swimming needs a boost and better facilities, the salient points of my contribution after all, but described the rest as sensational.

He questions my ability as a journalist and accuses me of not checking facts. He is grossly mistaken because I did my homework well before publishing that item.

Mr Gruppetta is badly informed about delays in last month's meeting. Again, I repeat, the timing system was malfunctioning on the day and there were delays. I am sure of what I am saying because I was there. Mr Gruppetta did not say whether he was present.

If the Administration Board is not aware of reports about shortcomings at the complex after the GSSE delegation visit, this is certainly not my fault.

It was Raymond Hasthart, the International Executive Committee secretary of the GSSE, who pointed out in a press conference at the New Dolmen Hotel three months ago, that the National Pool Complex needs 'some upgrading' (The Sunday Times, October 13 - page 81).

Is it possible that Mr Hasthart came to that conclusion without checking his facts as well?

Mr Gruppetta admits that the heating problem has cropped up many times before and added that in one month the pool was not heated up to the required standards three times.

Does Mr Gruppetta expect to be congratulated on such an 'achievement'?

Is that fair on the national team swimmers? They also have to contend with an overbooking problem at the 50-metre pool since the small one has been unavailable for quite a long time now, a fact which was never mentioned in Mr Gruppetta's reply.

I reiterate it is useless to try and entice 'hundreds of children' to the sport if the facilities are not upgraded. I only consider the mentioning of big sums of money in this case as a publicity stunt that, however, will impress no one... on the contrary that sounds sensational to me!