ADPD warns Marsa stadium project risks sidelining other sport<\/p>\n
ADPD has criticised the proposed Marsa stadium project for prioritising football over other sports in Malta, the party said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Baseball, softball, and other sports that have used the Marsa grounds for decades may lose access during the development, ADPD said.<\/p>\n
It said that there is no evidence that these communities have been consulted prior to the proposal.<\/p>\n
“This project places football above all other sports, to the clear detriment of others. We must ask: where will sports that have benefited from the grounds in Marsa for decades, such as baseball and softball, be hosted while this massive development is underway?” ADPD spokesperson Luke Caruana said.<\/p>\n
Moreover, the press conference for the project was streamed via the Ministry for Home Affairs, which ADPD said raises concerns about links to “citizenship by merit” schemes and foreign investors. The party framed the project as benefiting investors rather than communities or grassroots sports. ADPD also highlighted former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s ongoing influence in the Premier League as concerning.<\/p>\n
“This is not about strengthening community facilities. It is about the commercialisation of football and yet another avenue for speculative investment. The benefits will accrue to a few, while communities and grassroots sport are left behind,” Caruana said.<\/p>\n
The party urged sports infrastructure planning to be transparent, inclusive, and focused on participation, fairness, and the public good rather than profit.<\/p>\n