Participants from Malta and Italy recently came together in Malta for the final event of the WALK FIT – Walking Football for Inclusion & Togetherness project, celebrating active ageing, social inclusion and international cooperation through sport.

The international walking football tournament marked the culmination of several months of activities delivered in Malta and Italy under the Erasmus+ Sport initiative. Bringing together older adults from both countries, the event showcased how sport can promote healthy lifestyles, friendship and community participation well beyond traditional competitive football.

Team Black emerged as tournament winners, receiving the trophy from Swieqi Mayor Noel Muscat, while Team White finished as runners-up and were presented with their award by former Maltese international footballer Carmel Busuttil, who attended the event in support of the initiative.

Walking football is a modified version of the game that eliminates running and significantly reduces physical contact, making it accessible to older adults and others who may no longer feel able to participate in traditional football. The sport is growing rapidly across Europe as an effective way to promote physical activity, improve wellbeing and combat social isolation.

The tournament concluded a programme of activities delivered by Swieqi United Football Club in Malta and A.S.D. Real Sala Bolognese in Italy as part of the WALK FIT project. Over recent months, the initiative has included coach and referee training sessions, community outreach activities, open days and regular walking football sessions designed to encourage participation among adults aged 50 and over.

Training sessions held in Malta and Italy provided participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to organise and deliver walking football activities safely and inclusively. Open days in both countries subsequently gave members of the public the opportunity to experience the sport first hand, with the Maltese event also welcoming younger vulnerable adults, further reinforcing the project’s commitment to inclusion.