Three new sports schemes: 20/20 scheme extended to the private sector, grant scheme on purchase of sports equipment and renewal of the bicycle scheme 

Three schemes aimed at incentivising sport in our country were launched today by the Minister of Finance, Economy and Investment, Tonio Fenech and Parliamentary Secretary for Youth and Sport Clyde Puli at a press conference held at Ħandaq School, St. Ignatius College, For these schemes the sum of €450,000 have been allocated. These three schemes announced in the Budget 2011 are: 20/20 scheme for private sector workers sportsmen, the scheme of Grants for Purchase of Sports Equipment and Bicycle scheme.

The first scheme launched today is the 20/20 scheme for the private sector workers whereby national and upcoming sportsmen are given the opportunity to work 20 hours per week and 20 hours of training in their sport. This scheme is already in place for public sector workers. This will be done by creating a €100,000 fund for sports workers who choose to reduce the working week to train them in their sport. This fund will increased by €50,000 for the year of the GSSE games, like this year.

Another scheme that was launched today is the scheme of Grants for Purchase of Sports Equipment where sports clubs will be reimbursed for 15.25% on the cost of sports equipment purchased by all sports organizations registered with the KMS. This fund will be amounting to a quarter of a million euros.

Also announced is a one-off grant scheme of 15.25% on purchases of bicycles. This scheme was announced as a pilot scheme in 2008. A total of 1,920 benifited from this scheme that totaled to €73,000. For this scheme the sum of €50,000 has been allocated.

In his speech the Hon. Puli stated that this is another link in the chain of aid that the Government is giving to strengthen sport in our country. He stressed that the Government is investing in sports because it believes in the strength of its value to a society as a means of education and raising awerness for active citizenship.