During the official inauguration of the National Tennis Centre in Pembroke, Prime Minister Robert Abela described the project as a major investment in a sport that had long required serious and adequate funding.With an investment of €2.8 million, the opening marks another important step in the Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen sports infrastructure in Malta.The project has transformed an abandoned site into a modern, high-level facility, while also giving new momentum to the development of tennis in the country.The development was led by SportMalta in close collaboration with the Malta Tennis Padel Federation. This partnership ensured the facility meets high standards and addresses the needs of both athletes and organisations involved in the sport.The centre features six tennis courts with an ITF-approved Greenset surface, similar to that used at the Australian Open, along with high-quality LED lighting on each court. It also provides adequate spectator space and includes additional facilities such as a physiotherapy room, athlete areas, and Federation offices.Abela highlighted the significant progress tennis has made in recent years, including Malta’s achievements at the Games of the Small States of Europe.“In the last two editions of these Games we won no less than ten medals in tennis, three of them gold,” said Dr Abela.He added that this investment strengthens national sports infrastructure and complements other projects, including the Basketball Pavilion at Ta’ Qali, the athletics track in Marsa, the Marsa Sports Complex, and the Gozo Indoor Sports & Aquatic Pavilion in Rabat, Gozo, which includes an Olympic-size swimming pool.Abela also referred to ongoing work on additional projects, such as the first phase of the Ħal Far Track, expected to be completed in the coming months, noting that these developments are being supported by a strong-performing economy.He further mentioned government initiatives promoting a healthier lifestyle, including six months of free gym membership for youths and fiscal incentives for professional athletes.Sport Minister Clifton Grima said the centre demonstrates how an abandoned space can be turned into a modern facility that benefits athletes and the wider sporting community. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lovin Malta (@lovinmalta)“Through substantial investment and close collaboration with the Malta Tennis Padel Federation, we are giving our athletes the tools and infrastructure they deserve to develop and reach their potential,” he said.He added that the project not only creates a new space for tennis in Malta but also reflects the Government’s commitment to investing in sport as a means of personal growth, health, and opportunity for present and future generations.SportMalta CEO Mark Cutajar said the organisation is proud to continue supporting the sports community with high-level facilities, describing the project as another example of collaboration between a government entity and a federation.Malta Tennis Padel Federation President Marc Gingell Littlejohn called the investment a historic step for the development of tennis and padel in Malta, made possible through the support of the Ministry via SportMalta.He explained that the centre will serve as a key hub for training national athletes, while also creating opportunities for international exchanges and preparation for tournaments abroad.It will also enable clubs to host more competitions and activities, while supporting school initiatives to identify new talent and promote the sport in collaboration with the National Sports School.Tag a tennis fanPhotos: DOI/OPM•