Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1546020
4 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 31 JULY 2026 NEWS Gozo opens applications for 2027 Island Games team APPLICATIONS have official- ly opened for Gozitan athletes hoping to represent the island at the 2027 International Island Games, which will be held in the Faroe Islands from 3 to 9 July next year. Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri announced the launch of the application process on Tuesday, urging eligible athletes to seize the opportunity to compete on the international stage. Since joining the International Island Games Association (II- GA) in 2022, Team Gozo has made a strong impression at the biennial competition. The is- land's athletes collected a total of seven medals across the 2023 Games in Guernsey and the 2025 edition in Orkney, alongside sev- eral notable performances in a range of sporting disciplines. Camilleri said the achieve- ments demonstrate the talent and commitment of Gozitan athletes. "The fact that we have man- aged to win seven medals and register a number of positive re- sults in such a short time is tes- tament to the talent, dedication and hard work of our athletes," he said. "These successes con- firm that Gozo has the potential to compete successfully at an international level. Opening ap- plications today is the first step towards building another strong team to represent Gozo in the Faroe Islands." The minister said Team Gozo will once again strive to achieve positive results at the Games, adding that the application pro- cess will help identify and select the island's strongest sporting talent. Interested athletes can sub- mit their applications online through the Gozo Government website or via the myGozo app by 17 August. Applications will be assessed by the Selection Board, which will verify that applicants meet the established eligibility crite- ria before choosing the athletes who will form Team Gozo for the 2027 Games. Camilleri concluded by en- couraging all eligible Gozitan athletes to apply and become part of the team representing Gozo at next year's International Island Games. Momentum supports residents call for better quality of life and enforcement of laws MOMENTUM supports the call issued by Leħen ir-Res- ident and the resident asso- ciations and NGOs demand- ing stronger enforcement to protect the quality of life of communities across Malta and Gozo. The party said residents are not asking for new laws. They are asking for existing laws to be enforced fairly and consist- ently. "Every person has the right to peaceful neighbour- hoods, accessible public spac- es, a protected coastline, and institutions that place the pub- lic interest first. Natasha Azzopa"rdi, execu- tive member of Momentum, said, "The concerns raised by residents reflect many of the priorities that Momen- tum put forward in its elec- toral manifesto. We proposed a moratorium on large-scale developments and on ODZ development while planning policies are reformed, stronger protection of public land and open spaces, tougher action against noise pollution, and a planning system that puts resi- dents and the environment be- fore speculative development. "We also called for great- er transparency, independent institutions, and effective en- forcement to ensure that plan- ning and environmental laws are applied equally to every- one, without political interfer- ence or selective enforcement." The statement issued by Leħen ir-Resident recognises that Malta's quality of life de- pends not only on economic growth but also on respect for residents, the rule of law and the protection of our shared public spaces. Tourism and business are vital to Malta, but they cannot come at the ex- pense of people's well-being or their fundamental rights. Momentum welcomes Leħen ir-Resident and the organisa- tions supporting this initiative for giving a united voice to communities across Malta and Gozo. Their message reinforc- es the urgent need for planning reform, good governance, and institutions that work in the public interest. "Malta deserves communities where people can live peace- fully, enjoy public spaces freely and have confidence that the law applies equally to every- one," the party said. Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri at the event opening the applications for Gozitan athletes to apply for the 2027 Island Games team Lehen ir-Resident raised concerns that Malta's quality of life depends not only on economic growth but also on respect for residents, the rule of law and the protection of our shared public spaces