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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 5 JUNE 2022 14 COMMERCIAL MOU signed for inclusion and development of para-athletes at new sport college THE Malta Paralympic Committee (MPC), together with the Mediterrane- an College of Sport (MCS) and Learning Works (LW), today signed a Memoran- dum of Understanding aimed at align- ing cooperation and collaboration in the areas of sport development, sports sci- ence, and educational excellence. Both entities will endeavour to support the enrolment of Para athletes at the Med- iterranean College of Sport at both sec- ondary and sixth form levels to enhance the inclusivity of Para athletes who wish to enrol with the College through the es- tablishment of a target minimum annu- al Para athlete enrolment. Para athletes are athletes with eligible physical impairment, visual impairment and/or intellectual impairment, who are eligible for Para sport in accordance with the international rules and regulations on classification of Para athletes and the relevant Para sport discipline. The MOU was signed by Prof Joseph Grima and by Dr Julian Bajada, Presi- dent, and Secretary General of the Mal- ta Paralympic Committee respectively, whereas Pio Vassallo and Charlo Bonnici signed as directors of the Mediterranean College of Sport and Learning Works. Learning Works is a licensed Further and Higher Education Institution which offers a range of accredited courses in various disciplines including sport. Vas- sallo Group chairperson Natalie Briffa Farrugia was present for the signing of the MOU. The three entities are committing to empowering Para athletes to achieve ac- ademic and sport excellence by enroll- ing with the MCS, supporting, and en- hancing the long-term development and competitiveness of Para athletes, pro- moting the integration of Para athletes with able-bodied athletes and teams, de- veloping local experience and expertise in the field of coaching Para athletes and promoting the MCS as an educational centre for academic and sporting excel- lence in sport and Para sport. As part of this collaboration, Learning Works and the Mediterranean College of Sport have sponsored the participation of one of the coaches of Para Athletes, Edward Caruana Dingli, in the Master's in International Sport Coaching, which Learning Works is currently running with Liverpool John Moores University, ranked as one of the top ten universities in the world for sport related subjects. The Mediterranean College of Sport will be a co-educational independent school, located in Birkirkara, that values the importance of sport within the learn- ing process of student-athletes. Opening its doors in 2024 the College will include access to various sports fa- cilities such as a Sport Science and Re- search Centre, a 25-metre six lane pool, a sport pavilion, two football pitches, on- site accommodation facilities, an athlet- ics track, and a fitness and gymnastics centre. Established in 2018, the Malta Paralym- pic Committee is the national body for the development and promotion of Para Sport and is focused on delivering on its ethos of 'Inclusion meets Excellence'. As it heads into the 2022-2024 Paralympic cycle, the MPC has firmly set its sights on entering a new phase of development, grounded in a holistic ap- proach to Para Sport and Para Athlete development. With this MOU, the MPC believes an important step has been taken in this direction and commends the for- ward-looking approach adopted by all involved in making this happen. Construction work on the new school and the sport facilities commenced in early May following the issue of the nec- essary permits by the Planning Author- ity. The MOU was signed by Prof Joseph Grima and by Dr Julian Bajada, President, and Secretary General of the Malta Paralympic Committee respectively, whereas Pio Vassallo and Charlo Bonnici signed as directors of the Mediterranean College of Sport and Learning Works. Citadel Insurance celebrates World Environment Day with eco-discounts and green initiatives TO celebrate World Environ- ment Day, Citadel Insurance plc is offering various green in- itiatives to facilitate a positive change for the planet and ensure a brighter future. Customers be- ing serviced from a Citadel Insur- ance branch from 2 to 4 June will receive a take-home plant to help make their immediate environ- ment greener and serve as a daily reminder of the need to protect and nurture our environment. Furthermore, on the 5 June, Cit- adel Insurance will be paying for 50 per cent of the fees charged by the electric cabs which oper- ate in Valletta. On the 6 June, it will also offer return ferry tickets for the first 100 commuters trav- elling between the Three Cities and Valletta. These initiatives en- courage the transition towards al- ternative transport solutions that reduce traffic on our streets. "As we celebrate our 25th anniver- sary, Citadel Insurance remains firmly committed to promoting environmentally friendly solu- tions and embracing the green transition," said Angela Tabone, Managing Director at Citadel Insurance. "This commitment started as far back as 2008 when Citadel Insurance introduced eco branded products for customers who purchased renewable ener- gy solutions, such as the instal- lation of photovoltaic panels and solar water heaters, or electric and hybrid vehicles. To this day, the Citadel Eco insurance prod- uct brand empowers personal and business customers to adopt environmentally friendly and green technologies via beneficial discounts." The World Environ- ment Day activities organised by Citadel Insurance fit into a broader environmentally focused corporate social responsibility strategy adopted for a number of years and continue to be so for 2022 and beyond. 2021 has seen the Company collaborate with Nature Trust Malta on its turtle conservation project and a pro- ject to distribute re-usable bags in order to reduce the use of plastic. Similar initiatives are planned for the remainder of this year. Cita- del Insurance offers a full range of quality insurance solutions for life, health, commercial and other individual solutions. For further information, one can vis- it Citadel's branches in Mellieħa, Naxxar, Ħaż-Żebbuġ, Mosta, Ta' Xbiex, Paola, Żejtun or Victoria in Gozo; Citadel's Head Office at Floriana; log on www.citadelplc. com or call on Freephone 8007 2322. The above incentives are subject to terms and conditions and until stocks last. Citadel In- surance plc is a company author- ised under the Insurance Busi- ness Act, Cap. 403, to carry on general and long-term business of insurance and is regulated by the MFSA.