Sport Unity – Different Colours. One Heart: Malta’s 12 Premier clubs unite for a good cause

Sports Unity returns as Ħamrun Ħanin joins forces with The Malta Trust Foundation, with ambitions to bring together the wider sporting community

Ħamrun Ħanin, the social arm of Ħamrun Spartans FC, is relaunching its Sports Unity initiative, this time in collaboration with The Malta Trust Foundation, founded and chaired by former President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. Supported by the Maltese Olympic Committee and Richmond Foundation, Sports Unity aims to establish a platform through which people from different sporting disciplines can come together to support social causes, using the unifying power of sport to make a positive difference in society.

The first event under the renewed initiative will take place on 8 December at the Victor Tedesco Stadium in Ħamrun, bringing together supporters of all 12 clubs competing in the Malta Premier. They will join forces to raise funds for The Malta Trust Foundation, demonstrating that, despite wearing different colours and supporting different teams, they share a common commitment to making a positive difference. Under the theme ‘Different Colours. One Heart’, the event offers a unique opportunity for football supporters to put aside traditional rivalries and stand together for a common cause.

Addressing a press conference, H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca welcomed the initiative, observing that it was therefore encouraging to see sport providing an opportunity for people from different backgrounds and communities to come together in support of a common cause. She also highlighted the importance of initiatives that harness collective efforts to address social needs, adding that this was particularly important in a society which tends to polarise people on sport, politics or village traditions.

Ian Debattista, Chairman of Ħamrun Ħanin, outlined the organisation’s journey over the past five years, during which it has worked to fulfil its objective of making a positive contribution to society through various social initiatives. He said that while Ħamrun Ħanin had achieved considerable progress, he believed that working collectively with other clubs and sporting organisations could deliver an even greater impact to our communities.

While football will provide the starting point for this renewed initiative, Sports Unity intends to extend its reach to other sporting disciplines, creating opportunities for athletes, supporters and sporting organisations to work together on social projects. The support of the Maltese Olympic Committee reflects this wider ambition.

Sports Unity will also be working alongside Richmond Foundation to coordinate future activities, with mental health and wellbeing identified as essential pillars of the initiative’s wider social programme. Through these partnerships, Sports Unity aims to develop a platform that brings together different stakeholders within the sporting community to address a range of social issues.

Separately, the Malta Street Sports Alliance will be collaborating on the day by organising a sporting show alongside the stadium, offering an additional attraction for those attending the event.

The press conference was also addressed by Hon. Omar Farrugia, Minister for Youth, Wellbeing and the Implementation of the Electoral Programme, Hon. Graziella Galea, Shadow Minister for Inclusion, and Alan Abela, CEO of the Malta Premier, who also expressed their support for the initiative.

Hon. Omar Farrugia said: “In football, each of us has our own team and our own colours, but when it comes to helping those in need, we should all have one heart. Sport brings us together. It brings communities together.

Initiatives like this are at the heart of the wellbeing of Maltese society. Wellbeing is not built through Government measures alone. It is also built when people come together, respect one another and feel part of a single community. When our young people choose to spend a few hours together on the pitch rather than in front of a screen, while also helping others, this represents an investment in a stronger and more united society.”

Hon. Graziella Galea  said: “Diversity should not be a reason for division, but an opportunity to bring us together. We may support different teams, but we can all unite behind one common goal.”

Supporters interested in participating in the 8 December event are invited to contact their respective club’s supporters’ association.