Malta will be hosting the first ever Special Olympics Invitaional Games between the 13 and 18 May.

In a press conference held earlier this week, Dr Lydia Abela, the president of Special Olympics Malta, said the event will see almost 1000 athletes from around the globe competing in various sports.

The six sports disciplines to be contested are athletics, bowling, table-tennis, swimming, bocce and football, which will all take place at SportMalta in Marsa, Tal-Qroqq and at the Eden Super Bowl.

According to SporMalta CEO Mark Cutajar, over two million euros will be invested in infrastructural projects for the event and beyond. Apart from works being carried out at the University Sport Hall and National Pool complex, the Matthew Micallef St John athletics track will also be transformed into a state of the art arena.

There will also be a forum on inclusion and a unified waterpolo demonstration game.

The aim of the event is to help these athletes give everything they have in what promises to be a high-level sporting event and the run up towards the Games.