Malta has a plan for youth health: free gyms for everyone aged 16 to 21

The Maltese government has come up with an unusual and direct initiative to motivate the younger generation to get moving. Prime Minister Robert Abela, himself a former bodybuilder, has officially launched a programme that provides thousands of young people with free gym memberships. The aim is to combat sedentary lifestyles and invest in the long-term health of the nation.

From the gym to the prime minister's chair

Prime Minister Robert Abela is a key figure in the initiative. It's not just a political gesture; Abela has a very personal relationship with fitness. He was active in bodybuilding competitions in the 1990s and his passion for strength training is publicly known. At the launch of the programme, he stressed that the government wants to "invest in the health of young people" and offer them the means to return to an active life after the pandemic.

How does the program work?

The initiative, officially called the 'Youth Fitness Support Scheme', targets all young people residing in Malta within a specific age range.

• Age group: the scheme was originally launched for the 18-20 age group but was quickly expanded due to its great success. It now covers young people born between 2004 and 2009, which covers a wider group of approximately 16 to 21 years of age.
• What they get: Eligible applicants will be entitled to six months' free membership at one of the many private gyms that have signed up to the government scheme.
• Budget: The Government has allocated an initial budget of approximately €2 million for this initiative.

Overwhelming response

The response from young Maltese was not long in coming. According to local media reports such as the Times of Malta, up to 80% of all eligible young people in the original target group managed to register in the first phase after the launch of the programme. This huge interest confirmed that the government had hit the nail on the head and that the cost was a real barrier for many young people.

With this move, Malta is sending a clear signal that prevention and healthy living are a priority for Malta. Whether it will become, as social media gushes, 'the world's most gypsy nation' remains to be seen. But what is certain is that thousands of young people have been given strong motivation to start moving.

Sources:

• Times of Malta
• MaltaToday