Who Plays Sport in Malta – and Why It’s Not About Money

When it comes to sport in Malta, we often hear about lack of talent, small population size, or even cultural attitudes holding us back. But what actually determines whether people choose to participate in sport? A detailed study by Simon Grima, Alan Grima, Eleftherios Thalassinos, Sharon Seychell, and Jonathan V. Spiteri set out to find answers — and the results might surprise you.

Three sports under the microscope

The research focused on active, registered participants in handball, badminton, and wrestling during the 2015–2016 competitive season. In total, 381 athletes were surveyed through structured interviews, covering:

• Demographics (age, gender, location, nationality)

• Economic background (income, education, occupation)

• Sport-specific details (training frequency, facilities, competition)

• Lifestyle and psychological factors (motivation, other activities, perceptions)

  
  

Key findings

1. Gender matters – especially in wrestling: Handball and badminton had a roughly 2:1 male-to-female ratio. Wrestling? 100% male. Gender clearly influences participation in certain sports.

2. Age profiles differ by sport: Handball attracts younger players, while badminton and wrestling draw more mature participants.

3. Income and education are NOT barriers: Across all three sports, participation had no significant link to income or educational background. Sport, at least here, is not just for the wealthy or highly educated.

4. Facilities shape satisfaction: Athletes’ opinions on the quality of their main sport facilities varied significantly between sports, highlighting the role infrastructure plays in retention and recruitment.

5. Government support seen equally: Regardless of sport, participants held similar views on whether past government policies supported their discipline.

6. Lifestyle snapshot

   • 80% train 2–3 times per week

   • Sessions mostly last 1–2 hours

   • Almost half travel by their own transport; one-third are driven by parents

   • Over two-thirds also participate in other physical activities, mainly gym, football, and walking

   
   

Why this matters

For policy makers, the absence of an income barrier means the focus should shift from subsidies to strategic interventions — improving facilities, targeting underrepresented groups (especially women in certain sports), and promoting sports that attract diverse age ranges.

For sports federations, the data offers insight into where to focus recruitment and how to better align with community demographics.

And for Malta’s long-term sporting ambitions, the message is clear: barriers are less about money, and more about access, perception, and targeted engagement.

The takeaway

Malta’s challenge isn’t simply to “get more people playing sport” — it’s to match the right sport to the right people, improve infrastructure, and close the gender gaps. The talent is there. The opportunity is there. The question is whether we act on the evidence.

Reference: Grima, S., Grima, A., Thalassinos, E. I., Seychell, S., & Spiteri, J. V. (2018). A study of the determinants of sports participation by Maltese nationals. European Research Studies Journal, 21(2), 110–133.