Gozitan sports organisations irked by lack of facilities

Gozitan athletes are lamenting the lack of adequate facilities to conduct their training and they’re urging the authorities to provide them with decent venues where land and aquatic sport can be practised as at present there are none up to standard. Earlier this month, the Times of Malta headed to the sister island and met a group of triathletes who spoke about their difficulties due to the lack of a track and field facility and an indoor pool. At present, runners in Gozo hold most of their sessions at the horse racing track in Ta’ Xħajma, Xewkija, where they use the inner part of the venue which consist of a very narrow lane that suffers damage after heavy rainfalls. Michael Bongailas is an avid Tri-Gozo Club member who also conducts regular training sessions for young triathletes at Ta’ Xħajma. “Unfortunately, the only training venue available for us is this horse racing track in Xewkija,” he lamented. “It is not the best place really, particularly when we have 20 boys and girls practising on a two-lane loop. But, at least, we have a place where to meet.” Without the racetrack Gozitan sportsmen/women would have no other place available for training but the venue was only...