Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1547166
OVER recent months, we have seen growing interest in sport from both Maltese and interna- tional investors. Some of these proposals, and some of the peo- ple behind them, appear serious, ambitious and capable of bringing new capital, new expertise and, above all, new opportunities. I welcome this interest. For too long, many of our clubs have had to operate on limited resources while facing ever-high- er expectations. The right invest- ment can help them modernise fa- cilities, professionalise structures, strengthen academies and stand on a more sustainable financial footing. That is why Malta delib- erately created a legal framework that allows sporting organisations to pursue commercial activity within sports facilities. But a framework that permits something does not make every proposal the right one for the club, for its members, or for Mal- tese sport. Commercialisation was never meant to commercial- ise the soul of a club. A sporting club is not simply a balance sheet, a parcel of land or a development opportunity. It is the product of decades of voluntary work, sport- ing achievement and community identity. Its supporters are not customers to be factored into a business model or ignored alto- gether. They are part of the club itself. No club in Malta exists in isolation from its community and its supporters. So, while we should encourage investment, clubs must never lose sight of what their ultimate pur- pose is. The test cannot simply be how much money an inves- tor claims to be willing to invest. The test is what that investment leaves behind for sport and our communities. Will there be bet- ter facilities? More opportunities for children and young athletes? Better grassroots approach? A stronger academy? Better coach- ing? And most importantly, will the community that gave the club its identity and its history remain part of its future? If clubs want serious investment, they must be just as serious about how they assess it. An impressive presenta- tion and a headline figure are not enough. Neither is someone's claimed wealth or international profile. When an offer looks too good to be true, it may be just that; too good to be true. Ask the hard questions before you sign, not after, because once a decision is made, it may be too late to undo. Clubs considering partnerships that could shape their future for decades must carry out proper due diligence. That means verify- ing who the investors are and who ultimately owns the company be- hind the offer. It means establish- ing where the money comes from and whether it is actually availa- ble. It means examining corporate history, previous projects, any lit- igation or regulatory issues, and, above all, the investor's real track record. Good governance is not only about asking what happens when everything goes to plan. It is about asking what happens when things go wrong. If the project stalls or the investor walks away, can the club still function as a sporting or- ganisation? Will its commitment to its values, and to its supporters, survive? The immediate financial return has to be weighed against long- term obligations, opportunity costs, and against the risk that today's decision ties the hands of tomorrow's club administrators. Our clubs belong in their communities. Supporters and communities cannot be an af- terthought. Commercialisation should strengthen that bond, not sever it. So let me be clear. We welcome reputable investors. We welcome capital. We welcome fresh ideas and international ex- perience. But openness to invest- ment must go hand in hand with a firm commitment to the real needs of sport, our communities and our supporters. The best commercialisation pro- ject will not necessarily be the one that delivers the biggest develop- ment. It will be the one that leaves the strongest sporting legacy. AS it has now been five years, I take a moment to reflect on the past, and share my hopes for the next five: Yes to care, no to stigma! Back when I was a young adult, I felt timid and curious, at times strong and fearless, and at other times full of doubt and insecuri- ties. This is potentially the biggest developmental stage after birth. It is also a time when new relation- ships are formed and new social, work and entertainment related practices are learned. That is why having access to non-judgmen- tal information on activities with a margin of risk such as sex and drugs, is vital to increase resilience and prevent unnecessary harm. Back in 2006, I was too navi- gating a new world in between tertiary education, work, relation- ships and pleasure. Travelling to Amsterdam after successfully fin- ishing my first degree, I was excit- ed to finally access 'legal' cannabis! After a few experiences with the local Hash imported from Libya or Morocco, the distinctive original taste of the white widow strain blew me away. The laugh- ter, the munchies, the newfound friendships, the music, and the long walks in Vondel Park were all glorious adventures which dis- tinctively re-shaped my under- standing and relationship with cannabis. The bud-tender (person dis- pensing cannabis) at the coffee shop had two unique tools: Mind- ful consumption and harm re- duction. Without making us feel awkward or afraid, we were pro- vided with leaflets focused on how to choose the appropriate type of strain, how to reduce risks asso- ciated with negative experiences, and other health and safety meas- ures directly related to the effects, duration, and comedown of can- nabis. Fast forward to 2026, and here I am entering a Cannabis Harm Reduction Association (CHRA) in Malta. I am greeted one of Mal- ta's very own bud-tenders. He explained the law, the association rules, the present menu and dif- ferent thc percentages. I register, sign my papers, and off I go back home with a sealed package of fragrant Lemon Mandarin. Culti- vated in Malta, and with a seal of laboratory testing approved by the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis (ARUC), the package includes a number of health warn- ings, and a THC-potency colour coded table to help monitor ef- fects. All this information was signif- icant to help guide my consump- tion levels, and switch from the mentality of being a 'drug abuser' to one celebrating me as a 'mind- ful consumer'. Mindful consump- tion and pleasure maximisation are evolving concepts developed for cannabis, and spearheaded by Canadian criminal justice profes- sor Daniel Bear. The two concepts expand further the principles of harm reduction and apply them to more specific needs related to cannabis trends, practices, and culture. That is why independent re- search focused on public health, social justice and environmental sustainability is pivotal to ensure policy makers remain focused on addressing drug use in socie- ty with updated evidence-based tools and in full respect for human rights. The decriminalisation of cannabis supply and possession aim to prevent high risk cannabis use, such as over consumption pushed by commercialisation, and other ill-practices such as mixing tobacco. Furthermore, decrimi- nalisation is an important restora- tive tool to address stigma through non-judgmental language, poli- cies and educational tools. As we are now looking at the next five years of cannabis re- form in Malta, I hope there will be increased opportunities for dialogue involving people who consume and cultivate cannabis. Most significantly, I look forward for people who consume cannabis in Malta to recognise their new found identity as consumers, as opposed to the previous derogato- ry labels of dazed stoners. 4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 18 OCTOBER 2026 OPINION Karen Mamo The chronicles of a Maltese consumer: Five years on Drug policy researcher I look forward for people who consume cannabis in Malta to recognise their new found identity as consumers, as opposed to the previous derogatory labels of dazed stoners Byron Camilleri The right investment for sport: Creating a lasting legacy Minister for Education and Sport The best commercialisation project will not necessarily be the one that delivers the biggest development. It will be the one that leaves the strongest sporting legacy