Mizzi calls on S&D education committee to make sport a priority

Labour MEP Marlene Mizzi (S&D) has called upon the S&D Members in the Culture and Education Committee (CULT) in the European Parliament to take a leading role in promoting physical activities and sport as one of the Committee's main political priorities for 2016.

Speaking at a meeting in the European Parliament, discussing next year's priorities for the Socialists & Democrats, Mizzi said, "Physical activity and grassroots sport are fundamental means not only in improving people's physical and mental health and improving the average life expectancy of every human being, but are also key elements for the wellbeing of the European economy."

Recent study has found that physical inactivity imposes economic costs of €80.4 billion per year to the EU Member States in treatment of diseases caused by lack of exercise, which is equivalent to 6.2% of all European health spending.

"Promoting a healthy European society positively affects the European economy. Physical activity and active health have a direct ripple effect on health services in each Member State, therefore costs spent to treat diseases and illnesses caused by obesity or the lack of activity could be easily avoided by recognizing the role of sport and promoting its broader impact at European and national level," said Mizzi.

"In my opinion, sport has not been given enough importance in the priorities for 2016, but I am happy that after the discussion my S&D colleagues have agreed with the argument and have fully endorsed my proposal to feature the area of sport as one of our priorities for next year."

"Socialists & Democrats in the European Parliament have always promoted sport, as they rightly see it as having an important role in our societies, entrenching values such as team spirit, solidarity, tolerance and fair play, and contributing towards personal development and fulfilment."Whilst I fully agree with these objectives, I also think that the lack of sport is a serious public health challenge for our economies that deserves our immediate attention," said Mizzi.

Mizzi has also recently tabled a parliamentary question in the European Parliament asking the European Commission to provide the public with all the necessary information regarding the type of measures the EU has in place to promote and raise awareness about the importance of physical activity for its citizens.