| Inclusion meets Excellence |
MALTA PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE
VO/1616 (Est. 2018)
The Malta Paralympic Committee ('MPC') was formally established in July 2018 and is a member of the International Paralympic Committee. MPC is committed to the development of Paralympic Sport in Malta & Gozo and firmly believes in the power of Para Sport to change lives and build stronger communities.
We look beyond one's disabilities and seek to unlock one's full abilities. Paralympic Sport is living proof that the human body and mind is truly capable of remarkable things. Embodying the ambitions, virtues and values of the Paralympic Movement, the Malta Paralympic Committee is driven by its ethos to create a society in which:
- INCLUSION MEETS EXCELLENCE -
MISSION STATEMENT
Our mission statement is founded on three pillars:
Paralympic Sport
Acting as the National Governing Body for Paralympic Sport governed by the IPC.
FAQs
What is the role of the MPC?
What are the benefits of Para Sport?
The Malta Paralympic Committee ('MPC') is the national governing body for Para Sports governed by the International Paralympic Committee, and is responsible for implementing the mission statement of the Paralympic Movement. It is entrusted with the development and promotion of Para Sport in Malta & Gozo, and for assisting Para Athletes, National Sport Associations, clubs, coaches and other stakeholders in developing Paralympic Sport disciplines and in achieving sporting inclusion and excellence.
The MPC is also responsible for the National Paralympic Team representing Malta at major international games, including the Paralympic Games, World Championships and European Championships events.
Does MPC provide training sessions?
Para Sport opens up a world of opportunities for individuals with eligible physical, visual or intellectual impairments. It is well recognised that sport has the power to transform lives and communities, instilling confidence, enhancing well-being and inspiring others to live a healthy and active life, and to achieve sporting excellence.
The MPC supports Para Athletes from grassroots to elite level by facilitating prospective Para Athletes in engaging with an appropriate sport, as well as guiding Para Athletes through the classification process, development schemes and preparation for competitions and events.
Does MPC provide financial assistance?
The MPC is not a sports club and does not employ its own coaches or provide its own training sessions.
The MPC collaborates with various sports clubs and coaches across different sporting disciplines. The MPC can assist Para athletes and their parents/legal guardians in finding the right club and coach for them to suit your needs. Whether you are a beginner, looking for a social sports environment or aiming to become a competitive Para athlete, we can assist you in finding the right match.
What is the status of the MPC?
Para athletes may be eligible assistance via the SportMalta International Participation Scheme. This scheme is open to competitive Para athletes competing at major Para sport international competitions and/or training camps. Eligible expenses (flights, accommodation, travel insurance and competition fees) may be claimed back on a refund basis and is administered by SportMalta. You may enquire with us for further details on eligibility.
MPC may also apply for funds on a project-by-project basis but is unable to provide funds on an individual athlete basis at this stage.
Who are the Members of the MPC?
The MPC is a non-profit, non-political and independent entity, registered as a voluntary organisation (VO/1616) and registered as an Association with SportMalta (No.SM/A170).
The main governing body of the MPC is the Executive Committee, entrusted with the strategic decision-making of the MPC. The current Executive Committee was elected at the First-Elective Annual General Meeting of the MPC, held in July 2018 and approved unanimously by the voting members present for a 3-year term (2018-2021). The Executive Committee is supported in its work through the Para-Athletes' Council and its various Sub-Committees. On 6 January 2022, the members of the MPC elected the new Executive Committee 2022-2024. The incoming Executive Committee will serve for a term of 3 years, spanning the 2022-2024 Paralympic cycle, which will come to a close at the year-end in 2024, following the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
What is the IPC?
The International Paralympic Committee ('IPC') is the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement. Its purpose is to organise the summer and winter Paralympic Games and to act as the International Federation for ten sports, supervising and coordinating World Championships and other competitions. It is run as a non-profit organisation based in Bonn, Germany and aims to develop sports opportunities for all people with an impairment from the beginner to elite level.
What are the benefits for Sports Associations?
The MPC serves as the national focal point for Para Sport and the liaising body between the IPC and the National Sports Associations. The MPC can assist through the provision of coaching and athlete development programmes, educational seminars, outreach campaigns, technical and administrative support, and participation in national and international competitions and events. The MPC is keen on working closely with National Sports Associations to develop further Para Sport disciplines in Malta & Gozo.
The Members of the MPC are the national sports associations and federations.
'Full Membership' is reserved for national sports associations and federations governing a sport on the Paralympic Programme, whereas 'Associated Membership' is available for national sports associations and federations governing a sport not on the Paralympic Programme, and other entities and individuals, such as honorary members.
HISTORY OF PARALYMPIC SPORT
Sports for Para Athletes (that is, persons with eligible physical, visual and intellectual impairments) has existed for over 100 years, with the first sports club for the deaf dating back to 1888 in Berlin. It was not, however, until after World War II that Para. Sport was widely introduced, initially as a means of rehabilitation for war veterans. In 1944, at the request of the British Government, Dr. Ludwig Guttman opened a spinal injuries centre at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Great Britain, and in time, rehabilitation sport evolved to a recreational sport and ultimately into a competitive sport.
On 29 July 1948, at the London 1948 Olympic Games, the first competition for wheelchair athletes, named the Stoke Mandeville Games were held, in what was a watershed moment for Para Sports. These later became the Paralympic Games, first hosted by Rome in 1960, featuring 400 Para Athletes from 23 countries. Since then, the Paralympic Games are held every four years, with the inaugural Winter Paralympics held in Sweden in 1976. In 1989, the International Paralympic Committee was founded as an international non-profit organisation based in Dusseldorf, Germany, to act as the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement.
MALTA AT THE PARALYMPIC GAMES
Malta was represented by no less than four Para Athletes at the inaugural Paralympic Games in Rome, 1960, competing in Para Athletics, Para Table Tennis, and Para Snooker. Its debut at the Paralympic Games remains Malta's most successful stint to date, returning home with 2 silver and 2 bronze medals.
Malta was thereinafter represented at almost every edition up until the 1980 Paralympic Games held in Arnhem (Netherlands), raking in another 3 more bronze medals. Unfortunately, Malta then experienced its own hiatus, going a whole 24 years without being represented at the Paralympic Games.
It was only until the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games did Malta make its comeback to the scene, being represented by Antonio Flores in Para Athletics. Since then, Para Swimming has been the predominant sport, with Matthew Sultana representing Malta at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and Vladyslava Kravchenko being the first female Para Swimmer to represent Malta at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Malta reached another milestone, being represented by more than one Paralympian for the first time since the 1980 Games, being represented by Para Swimmer Vladyslava Kravchenko and Para Athletics athlete Thomas Borg. The Malta Paralympic Committee is now committed towards building the legacy of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and has adopted the motto #InspiretheNextGen as its key priority for the coming years. Through its renewed commitment, the MPC will endeavour to set the path for the future generation of Para Athletes, supporting rising stars and newcomers, with the aspiration of elevating the local #Paralympic Movement to new heights.