First Edition of National Beach Games a Major Success for Special Olympics Malta

Over 250 athletes from across Malta and Gozo participated in a celebration of inclusion during the first edition of the National Beach Games 2025, marking a significant milestone for Special Olympics Malta on Saturday 5^th July 2025.

Held at Pretty Bay in Birżebbuġa, the Special Olympics Malta National Beach Games transformed the popular coastal area into a vibrant festival of sport and community spirit. The event officially kicked off with an energetic opening ceremony hosted by Vibe FM’s DJ Lorenzo and well-known presenter Keith Demicoli. The Special Olympics Malta Dance Group joined forces with INCITE MOTION Dance School to deliver a dynamic and vibrant choreography performance, providing an uplifting start and igniting enthusiasm among athletes, spectators, and volunteers.

The National Beach Games 2025 also marked a significant milestone, as Special Olympics Malta athletes experienced sailing for the first time, made possible through the valuable collaboration with Yachting Malta and the Malta Sailing Federation. The sailing demonstration not only expanded the Games’ sports offering but also reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to creating inclusive and innovative opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Throughout the event, athletes participated in a diverse range of disciplines, including bocce, beach soccer—introduced in collaboration with the Malta Employees Sports Association (MESA), basketball, open water swimming, and sailing, each contributing to a truly inclusive and empowering sporting experience.

One of the key highlights was the 250KM Charity Challenge, which combined rowing and cycling disciplines. Athletes, together with various sports clubs and individuals who joined in support, not only met the target distance but exceeded it, achieving a total of 354KM. This collective effort reflected both the physical endurance of the participants and the strong sense of solidarity that defines the Special Olympics movement.

Special Olympics Malta extends its sincere gratitude to all the sponsors and partners whose support made the first edition a resounding success. These include Bank of Valletta (BOV), GSD, SportMalta, Aġenzija Sapport, Birżebbuġa Local Council, Yachting Malta, Malta Sailing Federation, Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation, Ministry for Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector, Malta Employees Sports Association (MESA), Water Services Corporation, and Vibe FM. 

The success of the first National Beach Games reflects the growing momentum of the Special Olympics movement in Malta.