Government invests €21,000 in Frame Football apparatus

Sep 17 2021

Yesterday, the Ministry for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing with the aid of SportMalta’s chief executive Mark Cutajar and the Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport announced a financial contribution of €21,000 to Frame Football Malta. Frame Football is a variation of Football that allows people with a disability to play the Beautiful Game.

The financial contribution of €21,000 will go towards buying 31 new frames to further encourage children with disabilities to start the sport. Julia Portelli, Minister for Inclusion and Social Wellbeing said “This investment shows in a tangible way that the principle of inclusion is not just something written on a paper but is being put in practice in a concrete way,”. The minister also had this to say about organisations like Frame Football Malta; “The contribution of voluntary organisations like Frame Football Malta further strengthens our work in this direction,”

The Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport, Clifton Grima spoke about the investment, saying that “Sport unites us, but to really say that through sport everyone is included we have to invest so that every person, irrespective of whether they have a disability or not, can participate in sport.” Dr Grima also said that the investment will not only help the children physically but also socially, as the sport would help them communicate better and grow their confidence.

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15% of 13 to 16 year olds in survey thought of self harm during the pandemic

Sep 17 2021

A new survey has revealed how around 15% of students between the ages of 13 and 16 considered self-harm at least once throughout the pandemic’s course. Conducted by the Lisa Maria Foundation, the survey was distributed to students between ages of 7 and 16 in 29 different schools across the Maltese islands. 1,951 responded, asked how they experienced living with the pandemic and how it impacted well-being.

It was reported that 15% of students in the cohort of 13 and 16 year olds thought of harming themselves. 61% revealed that they felt uneasy and afraid about the future, with a whopping 87% expressing concern about their family’s well-being during the pandemic. With 52% stating they feel happy socialising, 78% said they spent a lot more time alone during he pandemic. 69% also stated they stopped participating in sports and other extracurricular activities. Full results to be published during a press conference by the Foundation on 29th of October.

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Photo Source: kira schwarz

Limited entrance to fully-jabbed welcomed by most clubs and restaurants

Sep 17 2021

As many establishments such as restaurants and nightclubs struggle under the COVID-19 burdens, the authorities’ regulation to allow entrance only for the fully vaccinated has been generally welcomed by most. According to the Malta Chamber of SMEs reported that most of those operating in the entertainment and leisure industry were ‘eager for a relaxation in some pandemic measures.’ Health Minister Chris Fearne also announced that these places will enjoy further easing of social measures due to this.

Times of Malta newsroom was informed that the majority of Paceville clubs are also eager to introduce such measures. Allowing limited entrance to the fully-jabbed might extend their opening hours or even shorten distance between tables. With 90% of the population vaccinated, many owners see this as a positive move as it also helps in dealing with staff shortages and additional costs.

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Photo Source: Helena Lopes, Pharmaceutical Technology

Check your posts for government cheques

Sep 17 2021

Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that around half of the Maltese population, some 250,000 people, will be receiving a government cheque with tax refunds soon.

The Prime Minister told a pre-budget public consultation that as of tomorrow, people will find a tax refund cheque in their letterboxes for the fourth consecutive year. It is set to cost the government some €17 million.

Previous cheque rollouts saw people earning less than €60,000 annually benefitting from the scheme. The Prime Minister did not specify who will be receiving the cheques however, so you’ll have to check your post. This scheme comes as the PN proposes doubling income ceiling at which businesses will have to pay VAT to €60,000 from €30,000.

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Photo Source: Robert Abela FB