Transforming culture and sport

By Steven Linares

As we approach this General Election, I wish to take the opportunity to reflect upon the great work the GSLP Liberals have done in the context of culture and sport since we were elected into office in December 2011. We have transformed the sport and culture scene in that time.

It is a measure of all the fantastic work we have done over the last eight years that the mega concert/music festival is now a fixture in our national week programme. This year, we also managed to secure a series of excellent acts for the Monkey Rocks concert on National Day which went off without a hitch.

We have enjoyed years of success with the MTV partnership but in light of the expiry of our contract with them, we have decided to go out to tender once more, with a determined return to a local focus. I am thrilled about the opportunity this represents for this community.

Additionally, without a shadow of doubt, the Andrea Bocelli concert was a signature event of the last four years.

The setting at Europa Point could not have been any more spectacular. As the sun set on a hot September’s evening, we made good on our ambition to host world class events in one of the most emblematic locations anywhere.

Securing the attendance of the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra to accompany the ‘world’s favourite tenor’, wasn’t just the best possible way to mark fifty years since the closure of the border. It was a showcase of what Gibraltar can achieve when we match vision with investment and throw in the hard work of the GSLP Liberals and the team in Government.

2019 was a big year, that’s for sure. This year we also hosted the Island Games. I was very proud to play a key role in securing for Gibraltar the honour of hosting the 2019 edition of the games and securing the bid became the driver behind the design and delivery of all the many state of the art facilities that were games ready.

These will now be completed in coming weeks and become part of the sporting legacy of the GSLP Liberals.

They will be enjoyed by our sports men and women for many years to come. It is hard to describe the sense of pride I experienced being part of the great team of individuals who gave their all to ensure the games became known as ‘the Best Games Ever.’

On October 17th I believe you, the voters, have a simple choice to make in a complex world. I believe you have one choice, not three. I believe that you can choose the wrong people for the job or, in the GSLP Liberals, the RIGHT people for the job.

Come election day, vote for all 10 GSLP Liberal candidates. We are the ones who will get Brexit right. We will not let you down! I will not let you down!