Ref:  049-2009

Air Malta and the Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) recently renewed their reciprocal co-operation programme by signing an agreement aimed at assisting the MOC with their travel requirements.  Through this agreement, Air Malta was once again appointed MOC’s Official Airline for the next three years.

 Air Malta will assist the MOC in its travel related requirements as athletes and officials represent Malta abroad. This agreement facilitates all MOC contingents’ participation at various international competitions including the Games of Small States of Europe (Cyprus 2009 and Lichtenstein 2011), the Commonwealth Games (Delhi 2010), the Youth Olympic Games (Singapore 2010), the Mediterranean Games (Pescara 2009) and Friendship Games (Sicily 2010) and Les Jeux des Iles (2009 and 2011).

Commenting after the signing of the agreement, Mr. Joe Cappello, Chief Executive of Air Malta said “Connecting people through sports is an important area to consider in tourism and which has a lot of potential yet to be developed.  Local participation at international sport events is important for our athletes as well as to raise Malta’s profile overseas. Athletes are sporting ambassadors and are representing and promoting Malta whenever they go.  This agreement is also in line with Air Malta’s corporate social responsibility programme for Malta.  Air Malta is aware of the opportunities that sports has to offer and thus we are committed to support and invest in the local community in order to see the local sport develop more in the future.”

Finally, Mr. Cappello on behalf of Air Malta augured every success to all Maltese athletes participating in these international competitions and stressed that he is very confident that these athletes will strive to put Malta’s name on top in their respective sporting field.

While thanking Air Malta for renewing such co-operation agreement, Mr. Joseph Cassar, Secretary General of the MOC made reference to the role of Malta’s leading airline vis-à-vis the development it made through its 35 years of existence and the development local sports did during these years. Mr. Cassar commented “Air Malta was always present as one of the leading sponsors and partners of the Maltese Olympic Committee. Being so it was indirectly present in the positive results achieved and the MOC is sure that for the years to come there will be more positive moments to share between the two entities”.

Present also for the signing was Marketing Director, Vince Scicluna who thanked Air Malta for their recognition in the value of being associated with the Olympic Movement and he augured the partnership for the next three years.  He went on to confirm that any and every support given counts.  All funds that the MOC generate are reinvested into creating specific programmes for Malta’s athletes and assisting the 48 affiliated sporting associations.

The Maltese contingents’ next participation will be in the third edition of the Mediterranean Friendship Games being held in Sicily next September.

Picture shows (L to R): Mr. Vince Scicluna – Marketing Director MOC; Mr. Joe Cappello - Chief Executive of Air Malta; Mr. Joseph Cassar – Secretary General of MOC after the signing of the agreement.