Why Malta Still Struggles in Elite Sport – And What Needs to Change

For years, Malta has invested millions into sports infrastructure, athlete support, and national strategies. Yet when it comes to international success, the results remain modest. Why? A study by Andy Grech, Dave Collins, and Pippa Chapman offers answers, using the SPLISS model (Sport Policy Leading to International Sporting Success) to assess Malta’s elite sport system through the eyes of athletes, coaches, and administrators.

The paradox: more money, fewer medals

Between 2015 and 2019, government spending on sport rose from €5.7 million to over €9 million annually. Yet medals at the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) declined, pushing the cost per medal from €178,000 to €340,000. By 2021, projections suggested a staggering €557,000 per medal — though that edition of the GSSE was ultimately cancelled due to the pandemic, leaving the figure as a warning rather than a reality. Fast forward to 2023 in Malta, where the nation achieved a historic best of 97 medals (38 gold, 30 silver, 29 bronze). The government paid out €575,300 in bonuses, bringing the direct cost per medal down to just under €6,000 - a significant improvement! The contrast highlights the real issue: the problem isn’t only how much money Malta spends on sport — it’s how that money is used.

Stakeholders are dissatisfied

Surveying 90 stakeholders across multiple sports, the study found:

• Discontent across all SPLISS pillars: None scored above “moderate development.”

• Weakest areas: scientific research (pillar 9), grassroots-to-elite participation (pillar 3), and facilities (pillar 6).

• Stronger areas: talent development (pillar 4) and athlete support (pillar 5), though still far from “well developed.”

  
  

Macro, meso, and micro-level gaps

• Micro (athletes & coaches): Reported poor support and lack of professional structures.

• Meso (policy & governance): Seen as inefficient, underdeveloped, and lacking clear long-term planning.

• Macro (culture & society): Malta’s small size limits talent pools and volunteer-driven clubs struggle to meet professional demands.

Key issues raised

1. Facilities remain supply-led: Gozo still lacks an Olympic track, whilst a pool has recently been built following the publication of this study.

2. Sports science is decades behind: No national research centre, limited university involvement, and little scientific guidance for coaches.

3. Policy misalignment: Investments are fragmented, with little coordination or long-term planning.

4. Voluntary structures can’t cope: Most sports are still run by volunteers, while only football and water polo provide meaningful financial support to athletes.
   

The big picture

The study concludes that Malta’s challenge is not just about spending more, but about spending smarter. Other small states, like Iceland, have shown that targeted investment in facilities, coach development, and research can produce international breakthroughs. Malta must move beyond fragmented, reactive strategies and build a coherent, evidence-based elite sport system.

Reference: Grech, A., Collins, D., & Chapman, P. (2021). The state of play in Maltese sport: Exploring Malta’s current elite sport climate within a small states setting. Occasional Papers on Islands and Small States, University of Malta.