sport

Who will sponsor Maltese football now?

Sports sponsorship in Malta will be dealt a big blow at the end of the season when Rothmans stop sponsoring many of the sports activities and associations on the island. What will happen if no one comes forward to take the tobacco industry’s place? asks RAY ABDILLA

Earlier this week journalists gathered at the Diplomat Hotel to receive the yearly Rothmans football year book from the Sports Writers Association thanks to Rothmans representatives in Malta, Central Cigarettes.

The whole world has, for some time now, been debating the issue of sports sponsorships coming from cigarettes companies. There has long been an argument that it does not make sense for a company which is involved in cigarettes - known to cause damage to your health - to sponsor sports activities, especially when they are watched by so many youngsters.

This is the philosophy of many, company executives to the man on the street. But unfortunately, none of those businessmen seem to have come forward to replace Central Cigarettes, who stated a long time ago that they would be bowing out of sponsorships deals as from next season.

The cigarette company has forked out thousands of liri every year for football, alongside other sports, especially snooker. They also lent their support to local journalists showing their sponsorship in sports to be a genuine one by not trying to find out which reporters smoked.

New general manager Ronnie Abela stated that although the company has pulled out of its sponsorships and advertising they are still willing to work with and help the Sports Writers Association.

The man who started all the sponsorships, Victor Scicluna, aided by Mar Lino Abelo Scholaro, surely deserve a pat on the back. Although representing a tobacco company, they always gave all the help they could.

I for one do not smoke and although I am against smoking I was a member of the media that received help from Central Cigarettes. One example is the Rothmans Yearbook, a publication second to none.

So let’s come back to the sponsorship issue again. There is no tobacco company "taking advantage of the market" now, so the door is open for everyone - mobile telephony, the computer industry, products which are healthy such as milk and yogurts.

We are all waiting, let’s hope this opportunity isn’t lost. You have to show the tobacco industry that it is not just an unhealthy product that is ready to help sport in Malta. Or is this just a case of sour grapes?