---
title: "Manoel Island Padel Courts Decision Postponed Until After Elections"
date: 2026-05-21T11:00:52.132+00:00
updated: 2026-05-21T14:00:35.343+00:00
topics: ["Politics", "Planning", "Environment", "Courts", "National"]
canonical: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-05-21/manoel-island-padel-courts-decision-postponed-elections
source: Fil-Qosor
---

# Manoel Island Padel Courts Decision Postponed Until After Elections

## In brief

- The Planning Authority has postponed its decision on the illegal padel courts on Manoel Island.
- The controversial hearing was originally scheduled for today, Thursday, May 21st.
- The developer, Gżira FC President Sharlon Pace, requested the postponement, citing legal reasons.

The Planning Authority (PA) has deferred its decision regarding the illegal padel courts located on Manoel Island. The hearing, which was set to determine whether to sanction the controversial complex, was postponed until after the upcoming elections.

The decision was originally expected today, Thursday, May 21st. Moviment Graffitti had urged the public to attend the hearing, highlighting the importance of the decision for the future of Manoel Island.

The padel courts were built on public land, raising concerns among environmental groups and the public. The postponement was requested by the developer behind the plans, Gżira FC President Sharlon Pace, who cited legal reasons for the delay.

Manoel Island is earmarked for transformation into a national park, and the presence of unsanctioned structures like the padel courts has been a point of contention, potentially hindering these plans. The delay means the fate of the courts will now be decided in a post-election political landscape.

The Planning Authority's decision regarding the illegal padel courts on Manoel Island was postponed because the applicant's lawyer was unable to attend the scheduled hearing. The ruling, which was meant to take place on Thursday, May 21st, has now been delayed until after the general election.

## The Spin Room

**Low media divide.** Newsbook reported the reason for the postponement of the Planning Authority hearing.

## Updates

- **2026-05-21:** Updated with the reason for the postponement, which was the applicant's lawyer being unable to attend the Planning Authority hearing.

## Sources (3, 2 outlets)

- [Newsbook](https://newsbook.com.mt/en/graffitti-urges-public-to-show-up-pa-decides-on-manoel-island-padel-courts/)
- [Newsbook](https://newsbook.com.mt/en/decision-on-illegal-manoel-island-padel-courts-delayed-until-after-election/)
- [The Shift News](https://theshiftnews.com/2026/05/19/gzira-fc-claimed-that-illegal-manoel-island-padel-complex-was-authorised-by-government/)

## More stories

- [Planning Authority Sanctions Manoel Island Padel Courts, Imposes Fine](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-07-16/planning-authority-sanctions-manoel-island-padel-courts-imposes-fine) (2026-07-16)
- [Padel Courts on Manoel Island Face Calls for Removal Amid Planning Controversy](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-05-22/padel-courts-manoel-island-planning-controversy) (2026-05-22)
- [Court Confirms Rural Pathways Protection, Planning Authority Welcomes Decision](https://filqosor.com/article/2026-05-20/court-confirms-rural-pathways-protection-planning-authority-welcomes-decision) (2026-05-20)

---

Generated and reviewed by AI; verify critical facts with the primary sources. When citing, link readers to the canonical article: https://filqosor.com/article/2026-05-21/manoel-island-padel-courts-decision-postponed-elections