Malta Rugby League (MRL) President Mark Sultana has welcomed the recent announcement of the €200 million transformation of the former White Rocks tourist complex in Bahar ic-Caghaq into a sports and leisure village.

Sultana (pictured left), whose Malta Rugby League (MRL) currently play their national team fixtures at Ħamrun FC’s Victor Tedesco Stadium, said “It is welcome news that the development will include premises for rugby”

“Malta's plight for suitable rugby venues is well documented and the Malta Rugby League is just as interested to learn and follow the progress of the White Rocks project”

“The White Rocks Sports and Leisure Village will be hosting different sports disciplines, with the best design and facilities. Malta will have one of the biggest multi-sports facilities in southern Europe” Prime Minister of Malta Dr Lawrence Gonzi told a meeting of sports associations.

In economic terms, the project will be one of the biggest foreign investments in Malta and will create a minimum of 800 new jobs, Dr Gonzi said.

Specifically, White Rocks Sports and Leisure Village shall include facilities including a rugby/multi-purpose stadium, a tennis complex, a outdoor BMX track and beach sports facilities.

The project will feature venues for various sports, conference and leisure facilities, a 200-room hotel and up to 300 residential units.

The Prime Minister said this project was in keeping with the PN electoral promise to create new and modern sports facilities and the government's Vision 2015 plans, which included proposals for Malta to boost sports tourism.