The Government and the SDGG have jointly hosted the annual National Day reception for local sporting and cultural associations.

Also invited to the event were couples who were celebrating their 25th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries.

In total, nearly 200 people enjoyed the reception which, for the first time, was held at the University.

In his welcome address, the Chief Minister drew attention to the GFA’s membership of FIFA and pointed out that it was the ruling recently handed down by the Court of Arbitration for Sport that should ‘put smiles on all our faces.’ The ruling, said Mr Picardo, represents a landmark decision which will have wide long-term legal implications for Gibraltar as it is the first time that an international tribunal has declared a position on the Gibraltar question.