Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/327636
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 11 JUNE 2014 18 Events TAKING a short break from their Sunday training session, ALIVE Charity Foundation cyclists stopped at the University of Malta and vis- ited the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics. The cyclists, who are currently training for next month's gruelling 1,000km marathon Malta Airport - ALIVE 2014 Cycling Challenge for Cancer, are for the second year raising funds for a specialised pro- gramme facilitated by the Univer- sity's Research Trust (RIDT). Last year, Malta Airport - ALIVE 2013 Cycling Challenge for Cancer donated the first tranche of €55,000 to the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) which has been injected via RIDT into breast cancer research projects and thus sustain- ing ALIVE Charity Foundation ini- tiative. The University Pro-Rector Pro- fessor Richard Muscat, the Head of the Physiology and Biochemistry Department Professor Christian Scerri, Senior Lecturer within the Pathology Department Dr Godfrey Grech and RIDT's Chief Executive Wilfred Kenely, welcomed the cy- clists, who were accompanied by the ALIVE committee. They also met researcher Shawn Baldacchino, who is benefitting from ALIVE 2013 contribution, to further research on breast cancer at the University. They were briefed about the re- search project, which aims to unravel the genetics of the Maltese popula- tion in order to ensure improvement in survival rates of breast cancer pa- tients. With the money being raised by ALIVE Foundation cyclists, the University of Malta will sustain the crucial scientific research in breast cancer for the coming years. While thanking the ALIVE Char- ity Foundation for their contribu- tion, Prof Muscat said: "This is indeed a noble gesture. We greatly appreciate all your efforts in rais- ing funds. Thanks to your hard work the University is furthering its important research in the field of breast cancer." Commenting on the progress be- ing made in breast cancer research, Professor Scerri said, "For the past five years our Uni- versity in collaboration with the Departments of Anatomy and Clini- cal Pharmacology of the Faculty of Medicine and the Mater Dei Hospi- tal Breast Clinic, has registered ex- tensive progress on particular bio- chemical pathways in breast cancer. Our aim is ensure that this crucial study is sustained along the coming years. This should lead to mid and long-term benefits for the Maltese society." The second edition of the Malta Airport - ALIVE2014 Cycling Chal- lenge for Cancer will see 45 male and female cyclists, cycling across five European cities: from Prague to Vienna to Bratislava to Budapest and finally to Belgrade, from 9th to 18th July 2014. This challenge is be- ing held in collaboration with the Action for Breast Cancer Founda- tion and Europa Donna Malta. ALIVE2014 is sponsored by Malta International Airport and supported by Sky Spirits Fitness Lounge, Im- pressions Print, Signs and Displays, Go & Fun, Debenhams, Gollcher Group, Pizza Petrus, Garmin, Ex- press Group, KPMG and many oth- ers. The public can help this year's team either by making a donation, by signing up to one of the fund- raising events or by supporting the cyclists' participation on the road by logging on: www.alivecharity. com. Donations can be sent by SMS on 50617364 (€2.33); 5061 8081 (€4.66); 5061 8913 (€6.99); and 5061 9208 (€11.65), or via bank transfer: Account No - BOV 4002149804-6 Alive Charity Foundation - Bank's Bic – VALLMTMT - IBAN- MT85 VALL 2201 3000 0000 4002 1498 046. THE Summit of iGaming in Malta, SiGMA, being held between 31 Oc- tober and 1 November, is set to be- come one of the largest, most dedi- cated remote iGaming exhibitions and conferences for affiliates, oper- ators and suppliers of the industry, with 2,500+ delegates, 60+ top-level speakers and over 70 stands to be featured throughout the two-day event. Speaking at the launch of SiGMA, the Malta Government Parliamen- tary Secretary for Competitiveness, Jose Herrera said that he is truly honoured to launch the iGaming Summit being held at St. Julian's, a hub for iGaming companies, an un- disputed cradle of remote gaming companies in Europe. Herrera added that this govern- ment is committed to ensure that the remote gaming sector continues to grow and flourish and has pledged to create a hub of excellence world- wide. The government is also com- mitted to sustain the various enti- ties and operators in the maritime sector to prosper and expand their business and employ more people. In his address, Joseph Cuschieri, chairman of the Malta Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA), praised this initiative that will showcase Malta as an iGaming hub to the rest of the world. In his own words, "the LGA believes that similar events are important for the industry and if well planned, they can improve and sustain Malta's reputation". He went on to elaborate that such expos provide excellent networking op- portunities. "Malta already enjoys a solid repu- tation, and is host to an excess of 250 iGaming companies, over 450 licenses. Malta's iGaming market employs a solid workforce of 8,000; making the country an ideal plat- form to host such an event. "With an attractive lotteries and gaming jurisdiction as well as a solid taxation system in full compliance with EU directives, the country is also host to many quality affiliates and expats who have settled in Mal- ta and decided to combine an ideal working climate with unrivalled quality of life". Organiser Eman Pulis explained the aims and objectives as well as the reasons behind this event; "for the past seven years everyone involved in the iGaming industry in Europe has been asking for an event of this calibre in Malta that brings people together. We embarked on this am- bitious project and, with the right team of independent experts, are bringing in the most experienced panel speakers and exhibitors". SiGMA 2014 will feature a five-star, state-of-the-art exhibition space for both interactive gaming suppliers looking for new and existing opera- tors as well as operators looking to attract affiliates and marketing partners. The 3,600-square-metre multifunctional Bay Arena is cur- rently being transformed into the foremost facility in Malta for the hosting of high-end events through a two million euro investment by owner Eden Leisure Group. The exhibition part of the sum- mit is almost sold out already, six months away. Situated in St. George's Bay and annexed to the 5-star InterContinental, the venue is a stone's throw away from all ac- commodation options. For further details, kindly visit w w w.ma lt a iga m i ngsu m m it.com, call on +356 9926 3626 or send an email to info@maltaigamingsum- mit.com. Unprecedented iGaming summit to be held in Malta Enthusiastic finalists wait eagerly for the the Red Bull King of the Rock final LAST Saturday, Pjazza Tigne was turned into a top of the league Basketball court, whereby almost 50 play- ers of different abilities, including national team play- ers and regular street players battled it out in a true spectacle at the first ever Red Bull King of the Rock qualifier held in Malta. The players who made it to the final include Nikola Vasovic, Denislav Vladimirov, David Bugeja, Alberto Lorenzo, Miguel Falzon, Stefano Tangianu, Anton Axiaq and Carles Teixido. Basketball action will now move on to Great Siege Square in Valletta on Saturday 14th June. The Red Bull King of the Rock final will determine who will represent Malta at the World Finals held in September in Taiwan. ALIVE 2014 cyclists meet researchers at the University of Malta