SL Benfica Partners With Mediterranean College Of Sport In Malta

SL Benefica Partners With Mediterranean College Of Sport In Malta

Mar 12 2024

Sport Lisboa e Benfica has announced a transformative partnership with the Mediterranean College of Sport in Malta, solidifying its commitment to global football youth development. This landmark collaboration, formalized this week, signifies a pivotal move in SL Benfica’s overarching strategy for international expansion.

The comprehensive agreement spans five years, reflecting SL Benfica’s dedication to fostering athletic and academic growth. The collaboration entails the establishment of an international school in Malta, where SL Benfica’s renowned coordinator will spearhead the football program.

The agreement was signed at the SL Benfica Head Quarters in Lisbon. Pio Vassallo, Chairperson of MCS and Charlo Bonnici, CEO of MCS signed on behalf of the Mediterranean College of Sport whereas Rui Manuel César Costa, President of the board of directors of SL Benfica and Luís Paulo da Silva Mendes, Vice-President at SL Benfica signed on behalf of the Portuguese club. Present for the signing were also Natalie Briffa Farrugia, Chairperson of Vassallo Group and MCS director and George Micallef MCS’s Director of Sport Development.

As part of this agreement student-athletes at MCS will also be reviewed and assessed in Portugal by Sport Lisboa e Benfica, students will participate in Sport Lisboa e Benfica tournaments in Portugal, and may also be able to register in the Benfica International Elite Program and participate in internships offered by the Portuguese academy.

SL Benfica has forged numerous partnerships across the globe. In Luxembourg and Lithuania, Benfica has established football schools to nurture talent and promote the sport. In terms of technical partnerships, Benfica has joined forces with FC Pyramids in Egypt, Al Nasr SC in the UAE, Eastwood Community FC in the UK, Coimbra Sports in Brazil, FC Sudamerica in the USA, and Sreenidi Deccan FC in India. Furthermore, Benfica has inked collaborative agreements with FC Dallas and Gotham FC in the USA.

Benfica has won the award for best academy in the world three times at the prestigious Globe Soccer Awards in the United Arab Emirates. Nestled within the state-of-the-art Benfica Campus, this renowned institution has honed the skills of countless young athletes, nurtured their potential and propelling them onto the global stage.

The Mediterranean College of Sport, wholly owned by the Vassallo Group, stands as a strategic partner in this venture. The distinguished delegation, featuring the CEOs of the Vassallo Group and the College, highlights the significance of this collaboration.

The Mediterranean College of Sport opens its doors next September. The school is located within the St Aloysius Sports Complex in Birkirkara. The complex will now incorporate two football pitches, a newly refurbished multi-sport pavilion, a gymnastics hall, two dance studios, two padel courts, a 25 metre pool, a sport performance centre, a hostel for athletes, an eatery as well other facilities to host other sports.

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15,713 Traffic Accidents In Malta In 2022

Mar 12 2024

In 2022, road transport in Malta witnessed various shifts and trends, as reported by the National Statistics Office (NSO).

The year saw a concerning rise in traffic accidents, totalling 15,713, marking an increase of 1,578 incidents compared to the previous year. Notably, 34.2% of these accidents occurred in the Northern Harbour district.

Despite efforts to enhance road safety, traffic casualties rose by 5.0%, with fatalities including 11 drivers, one passenger, 15 pedestrians, and a horse sulky rider.

The stock of licensed motor vehicles experienced steady growth, increasing by an average net rate of 33 vehicles per day. Passenger cars remained dominant, constituting 74.7% of the total licensed motor vehicles, although e-kick scooters witnessed the most significant surge in registrations compared to 2021.

Additionally, alternative powered motor vehicles saw a substantial increase of 54.9%.

Newly licensed motor vehicles amounted to 23,016, a 9.4% rise from the previous year, with 66.5% being new vehicles.

Interestingly, the number of licensed motor vehicles per 1,000 residents slightly decreased to 784, with the Gozo and Comino district registering the highest ratio at 1,053 vehicles per 1,000 residents, while the Northern Harbour recorded the lowest at 673 vehicles per 1,000 residents.

Despite efforts to curb theft and contraventions, vehicle thefts increased by 27.2%, totalling 309 incidents, while transport-related contraventions reached 308,444, including 50,782 speed camera violations.

Moreover, public transport commuters significantly rose to 49,222,425, representing a 39.8% increase over 2021, with passenger cars accounting for the majority of the total distance traveled, amounting to 2,321 million kilometres, or 79.5% of the total distance traveled.

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20% Of Equality Mainstreaming Strategy Completed In 1st Year

Mar 12 2024

The Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality, Rebecca Buttigieg, announced that 20% of the action plan stemming from the first year of implementing the strategy on equality and mainstreaming has been achieved.

This declaration came during a conference held by the Directorate for Human Rights, tasked with overseeing the strategy’s five-year implementation.

Buttigieg highlighted the appointment of officials in each Ministry to ensure the execution of equality measures and the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee to coordinate these efforts. She emphasized that new legislation now reflects equality principles, with ongoing efforts to align existing laws accordingly.

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The conference also explored methods to enhance women’s involvement in politics, decision-making processes, and leadership roles across private and public sectors.

Buttigieg affirmed the Maltese government’s commitment to enacting a new EU directive mandating adequate female representation on corporate boards, seen as a significant stride towards gender equality, complementing recent advancements made by Maltese women.

She noted that nearly 28% of female deputies in the current legislative session resulted from corrective measures employed for the first time in the previous election, marking progress in women’s political participation.

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Works On Armier To Gozo Ferry Road Expected To Finish By June 1st

Mar 12 2024

Infrastructure works on the road from Armier to the Gozo Ferry are underway, scheduled for completion by June 1st.

The expansion includes a new lane from the Armier roundabout to the Ċirkewwa Terminal, aiming to facilitate smoother travel for Gozitans and Maltese commuters, especially during the upcoming summer season. Minister Chris Bonett and Infrastructure Malta are overseeing the project, which involves dividing traffic into two lanes along the route.

With a €7 million investment, the project covers a 2.5-kilometer stretch from the Marfa roundabout to Ċirkewwa. Initial work focuses on the Marfa roundabout to the Police Bay/Ċirkewwa Terminal section, with structural enhancements and safety measures, including replacing steel structures with certified concrete.

Cycling infrastructure improvements and alternative routes for cyclists will be provided. Precautions will be taken to minimize disruptions to public transport and emergency services.

Minister Bonett reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving transportation infrastructure to enhance the quality of life for Maltese families. This project initiates a series of planned efforts to alleviate traffic congestion across Malta.

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