April 2004
Fri 30
- Marsaxlokk midfielder Trevor Templeman was handed a one match ban by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner on Friday. Templeman collected a fourth yellow card in the game against Floriana on Thursday.
The 22-year old midfielder, who is also on trial with the national team, will be missing the last league game against Hibernians next week.
Three First Division matches were suspended for one match: Roderick Farrugia of Mqabba and Tarxien duo Maczerob Okoro and Simon Shead.
Another player to be suspended for one match was Paul Fenech of Third Division side Fgura United.
Thu 29
- Premier League Balzan Y. vs Hamrun S. 2-0, Floriana vs Marsaxlokk 1-5
- Third Division Gharghur vs Luqa SA 5-1, Fgura U. vs Melita 0-0
Wed 28
- First Division Mqabba vs Tarxien R. 0-2, Senglea A. vs Naxxar L. 5-1
- Gozo - First Division Zebbug R. vs Kercem A. 5-1
- Three Pemier League players were suspended by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner on Wednesday.
Floriana striker Edoardo Do Nascimento was banned for one match and he will miss the game against Marsaxlokk on Thursday.
Two Hamrun Spartans players - John Debattista and Gaetan Spiteri - were suspended for one and two matches respectively. Both players will miss Thursday's match against Balzan Youths. The season is over for Spiteri who will also miss the last game against Valletta.
Stefan Farrugia of Mosta, Jonathan Bezzina of Rabat Ajax and Chris Cuschieri of San Gwann were suspended for one match in Division 1 while Gozo FC duo Alex Tramboo and Reuben Mercieca were handed a one-match ban in Division 2.
Matthew Cassar of St. Patrick was suspended for one match in the Youth League.
- Ndubisi Chukunyere expressed his willingness to return back in the national team of Nigeria in the Germany 2006 World Cup qualifiers as he could help the current Super Eagles' striking problems.
In an interview with Nigerian newspaper Daily Champion, the Nigerian striker said he could be the right player in attack to form a striking pair with RC Lens striker John Utaka. Chukunyere appealed to national coach Christian Chukwu and the NFA to give him a call to play in one of the top international friendlies in programme for the Eagles in order to enable him fight for a place in the team.
"I'm good enough to play a part in the World Cup qualifiers. Although the team have the likes of Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Julius Aghahowa, Victor Agali, Nwankwo Kanu and Osaze Odemwingie, who are great players, I strongly believe I can make the team if given the chance to prove myself," the Hibernians striker stated.
Chukunyere claimed there are people who are trying to convince him to turn out for Malta instead.
"I'm getting tired of receiving people from the Maltese FA to convince me to play for Malta. I love my country, I want to use my God-given talent to help my country. I'm appealing for an invitation to play in one of the friendlies lined up for the Eagles before the qualifiers. Let them try me," said Chukunyere.
Chukunyere had turned down an invitation to feature for the national team during the Nations Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Angola in Benin City last year as Hibernians faced Finnish side AC Allianssi in the first leg of the UEFA Intertoto Cup first round on the same day.
This could be the reason for which Chukwu has not considered him for selection over the past months. Chukunyere made his international debut for Nigeria in a friendly match against Egypt in Lagos in November 2002.
As regards his future at club level, Chukunyere said "I've received several offers to move to a big league but they were not well packaged. I want to complete my contract which ends this season and move elsewhere."
Tue 27
- First Division St. Patrick vs Rabat A. 5-3, San Gwann vs Mosta 0-1
- National coach Horst Heese and his assistant Carmel Busuttil have recalled Sliema Wanderers midfielder Kevin Sammut into the National 'A' Team squad currently preparing for next month's prestigious friendly against Germany in Freiburg on Thursday May 27.
Heese said "Sammut deserves his recall due to his good performances for his club in the MIA Premier League in recent weeks."
In the meantime, Horst Heese has called in another two players. Hibernians midfielder Peter Pullicino and Trevor Templeman of Marsaxlokk will in fact be on a trial period with the senior squad.
- Mr Lawrence Sammut, FIFA Referees, will be controlling the Friendly 'A' international match between San Marino and Liechtenstein on Wednesday.
Mr Sammut, one of the four Maltese International Referees on the FIFA Panel, was appointed by the Malta FA after the San Marino Federation sent an invitation to nominate one of its top officials for the match.
- In a statement, the Malta Football Referees Association congratulated MFA president and chairman of the Referees Board Dr Joseph Mifsud for his successful re-election to the UEFA Executive Committee during the 23rd Congress which was held in Limassol, Cyprus.
The statement says Dr Mifsud's re-election is a clear sign of the respect and high esteem enjoyed by the MFA president. "It is of great satisfaction to have Dr Mifsud representing Malta alongside much bigger countries, which are considered as giants in the international football scene."
The MFRA congratulated former MFA Secretary General Joseph Sacco who was awarded the UEFA Order of Merit during the same Congress. "This is a deserved award and the right acknowledgement for the service given by Mr Sacco in football administration."
Meanwhile, the MFRA condemned the incidents which took place during the Under-19 Youth Knock-Out match between Birzebbuga St. Peter's and St. Andrews on April 21. One of the match officials was assaulted by a player who had just been sent off.
The association pointed out that this was not the first incident this season during which a match official was attacked physically. "While expressing solidarity with the referee concerned, we encourage players and club officials to show more respect to the match officials in the true spirit of Fair Play."
Mon 26
- Second Division Attard vs Mellieha 1-2, Gzira U. vs Zebbug R. 1-2
- Promising young Maltese soccer stars will compete next month for the chance to sharpen their skills on the pitch - with help from Dubai-based Emirates Airline.
Talented young players born in 1991 and 1992 are being invited to battle it out in the third edition of the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge, hosted by Chelsea Supporters Club - Malta on Sunday 30th May 2004 at the Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali.
It is organised with the full approval of the Malta Football Association and is officially recognised by the top English Premier League Club, Chelsea FC.
During the presentation of the sponsorship, Emirates' District Manager, Paul Fleri Soler, said: "Emirates Airline is delighted to extend its sponsorship agreement with Chelsea Supporters Club-Malta for the third year running and continuing its association with the Supporters Club. Young aspiring footballers require all the encouragement they can get. We are very pleased by the professional way in which Chelsea Supporters Club - Malta organises this Challenge and we hope that most nurseries will take part in this forthcoming event."
CSCM's President Mr Joe Anastasi, thanked Mr Fleri Soler and said: "We are proud to have established close ties with Emirates. We look forward to continuing and strengthening our partnership over the coming years as each edition of this Challenge goes from strength to strength."
Each Youth Nursery selects two top players, one born in 1991 and another born in 1992, who will be tested on three individual skills according to the Set Minimum Standards of the Nursery Clubs. These are dribbling, juggling and shooting. The judging panel will be composed of established Maltese coaches.
Application forms and regulations have been mailed to all Youth Nursery Clubs in Malta and Gozo.
Clubs are reminded that the closing date for entries is Friday, 30 April 2004. Any nursery clubs that have not received the application forms are kindly asked to contact the Challenge Coordinator, Mr Chris Micallef on Tel. 2131 1434 or Mr Joe Anastasi on Tel. 2138 3423.
- Malta was drawn with Slovenia, England and Northern Ireland in the Central/West Group of the Preliminary Round of the 4th UEFA Regions' Cup. The mini-tournament will be played in Slovenia in August or September 2004. The draw was held earlier this month in Blois, France.
In this competition, Malta takes part with a team made up of amateur players, usually coming from Divisions 1, 2 and 3.
The Regions' Cup is the only UEFA tournament dedicated entirely to amateur footballers, with teams from 37 UEFA member associations set to compete in the qualifying stages of the competition, eight of whom will take part in the final tournament in 2005.
Most of the nations involved in the draw will be represented by an amateur team from somewhere within their borders. However in a few cases, smaller nations, as it the case for Malta, will be represented by a team which represents the best amateur players in the country.
In fact, Malta, Northern Ireland, Liechtenstein, San Marino and the Republic of Ireland have all chosen to send such national teams to their qualifying games, with the remainder of the national associations preferring to choose a regional side to represent them in the tournament.
Malta also took part in the previous three editions of the UEFA Regions' Cup. In the first edition in June 1999, Malta was represented by a team from Gozo. The Gozitans lost 0-4 to Zapadne Srbije (YUG), 0-6 to Israel Amateur and 2-8 to Macedonia (GRE).
In the next two editions, an amateur national team represented Malta. In December 2000, Malta suffered a 0-1 defeat to Dalmatia (CRO) and a 0-5 defeat to Abruzzo (ITA). In October 2002, Malta lost 1-2 to Netherlands (North), 0-3 to Algarve (POR) and 0-4 to Northern Ireland.
- The four MIA First Division League matches which were postponed this weekend have been re-scheduled as follows:
Tuesday, 27th April, 2004:- 18:00 St. Patrick vs Rabat Ajax; 20:00 San Gwann vs Mosta.
Wedesday, 28th April, 2004:- 18:00 Mqabba vs Tarxien Rainbows; 20:00 Senglea Athletic vs Naxxar Lions.
All matches will be played at the Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali.
The first two matches were due to be held at the Hibernians Ground while the other two were in programme at the Victor Tedesco. However the rain which hit the Maltese islands on Friday and Saturday rendered the pitches unfit to stage the scheduled matches.
Sun 25
- Premier League Hibernians vs Pietà H. 1-0, Marsaxlokk vs Sliema W. 0-2
- First Division Mqabba vs Tarxien R. and Senglea A. vs Naxxar L. postponed
- Second Division St. Andrews vs Dingli S. 3-0, Zejtun C. vs St. George's 0-4
- Third Division Siggiewi vs Sta. Venera L. 0-5, Ta' Xbiex vs Pembroke A. 1-5
- Women's Knock-out Rabat A. vs Melita 0-1 aet, Mosta vs Raiders 5-1
- Gozo - First Division Nadur Y. vs Victoria H. 2-7, Xewkija T. vs Ghajnsielem 1-2
- Valletta FC Nursery will organize the John Curmi Memorial Festival on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th May at the Salinos Grounds. The festival, dedicated to one of the Nursery’s founders, will be open for the Under 12 category.
Valletta Nursery Whites, Valletta Nursery Reds, Birkirkara Nursery, San Gwann Nursery and Melita Nursery are going to take part in this year's edition. The draws for such festival will be made at the Valletta FC premises on Monday 3rd May. A Holy Mass at the Salinos Grounds is going to kick-off the Festival.
Tip Top is the official sponsor of John Curmi Memorial Festival Under 12.
Sat 24
- First Division St. Patrick vs Rabat A. and San Gwann vs Mosta postponed
- Second Division Vittoriosa S. vs Xghajra T. 0-1, Zurrieq vs Gozo 0-1
- Gozo - Second Division SK Victoria W. vs Oratory Y. abandoned, St. Lawrence S. vs Gharb R. postponed
Fri 23
- Premier League Msida SJ vs Hamrun S. 3-3, Birkirkara vs Floriana 2-0
- Third Division Ghaxaq vs Mgarr U. 6-1; Gudja U. vs Birzebbuga SP 1-1
- MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud was re-elected to the UEFA Executive Committee in the election which was held during the XXVIII UEFA Ordinary Congress in Limassol, Cyprus, on Friday. However unlike the other members, Dr Mifsud’s term is for the remaining two years of the departing Henri Roemer’s four-year term, while all the remaining terms are for four years.
Roemer left the Executive Committee midway through his term of office to become special adviser to the UEFA President and Chief Executive on European Union and global affairs.
All seven existing UEFA Executive Committee members who were standing for re-election were elected together with one new member, Italian FIGC president Dr. Franco Carraro. These were elected with an absolute majority in a first ballot
Marios N. Lefkaritis of Cyprus polled 47 votes, followed by Geoffrey Thompson (England) 46, Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder (Germany) 45, Dr Franco Carraro (Italy) 41, Drs Mathieu Sprengers (Netherlands) 37, Dr Viacheslav Koloskov (Russia) 34, Per Ravn Omdal (Norway) 33 and Dr. Joseph Mifsud (Malta) 33. Vlatko Markovic of Croatia polled a highly respectable total of 27 votes but failed to win a place.
In the elections for the four available European seats on the FIFA Executive Committee, and
with the withdrawal of Dr Madaíl from the candidacy yesterday, Congress unanimously
supported the remaining four candidates. Thus, Dr Michel D’Hooghe (Belgium), Senes Erzik
(Turkey), Dr Viacheslav Koloskov (Russia) and Michel Platini (France) were elected for
further four-year terms.
During the Congress, Joseph A. Sacco, ex-General Secretary of the Malta FA, was awarded the UEFA Order of Merit for his long and sterling services to the game of football. This was a unique honour never before bestowed by UEFA on a Maltese football admininstrator.
Wed 21
- Gozo - First Division Xewkija T. vs Sannat L. 1-1
- The Malta Football Association will consider applications from constituted clubs to participate in the Third Divsision League next season 2004/2005.
Applications, which must include a copy of the Club Statute and a list of committee members with their respective IDs, must reach the MFA General Secretary at 280, St. Paul Street, Valletta VLT 07, by not later than Friday, 14th May, 2004. Late applications will not be considered.
- MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud will be standing for re-election to the UEFA Executive Committee during the XXVIII UEFA Congress which will be held in Limassol, Cyprus, on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 April. Mifsud has been a member of the UEFA Executive Committee since 1994.
The Congress will feature Executive Committee elections. Ten prominent football administrators have submitted their candidature for election to the committee, with seven seats becoming available - for four-year terms - due to the expiry of current members' terms of office.
These seven members are all standing for re-election and they are: Dr Viacheslav Koloskov (Russia), Marios Lefkaritis (Cyprus), Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder (Germany), Dr Joseph Mifsud (Malta), Per Ravn Omdal (Norway), Dr Matthieu Sprengers (Netherlands) and Geoffrey Thompson (England). Completing the list of ten candidates are Dr Franco Carraro of Italy, Portugal's Dr Gilberto Madaíl and Croatian Vlatko Markovic.
In addition, the terms of office of the four European members of the FIFA Executive Committee will end at the FIFA Congress in Paris on 20 May. The four candidates standing for re-election are Dr Michel D'Hooghe of Belgium, Turkey's Senes Erzik, Dr Koloskov and Frenchman Michel Platini. Dr Madaíl is also in the running.
Mifsud is currently a member of the Executive Committee Working Group National Association and an observer in the Stadium and Security Committee. He is also a member of the FIFA Players’ Status Committee.
- Four Premier League players were handed a one-match ban by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner on Wednesday. Floriana were hit worst as they had two players suspended - Clifton Ciantar and Jonathan Holland. The others are Essien Mbong of Hibernians and Noel Turner of Sliema Wanderers.
Ciantar and Holland will be missing the game against Birkirkara on Friday. Mbong will be missing the game against Pietà while the Sliema captain is ruled out of Sunday's clash with Marsaxlokk.
First Division side Naxxar Lions had five players suspended - Simon Muscat, Roderick Spiteri, Chima Dozie, Kevin Fenech and Franco Scicluna. These will be missing the game against Senglea Athletic. Naxxar club official John Galea was fined Lm 25.
Angelo Borg of Rabat Ajax and Kevin Loughborough of San Gwann were suspended for one match. Lija Athletic caretaker coach Brian Spiteri was fined Lm 25.
Colin Ciantar of Attard was handed a two-match ban while Keith Micallef (Dingli), Kevin Naudi (Gzira), Josef Zammit (Xghajra), Darren Bellizzi (Zurrieq), Nathaniel Falzon (Luqa) were all suspended for one match. Qormi kit-manager Jean Borg was fined Lm 15.
Nine youth players were suspended for one match - Brandon Mizzi and Edward Gilson (Ghaxaq), JOnathan Zahra (Gudja), Wayne Abela (Marsaxlokk), Kevin Agius (Msida), Damien Saliba (Pietà), George Frendo (Qormi), Clayton Failla and Kirsten Buhagiar (St. Patrick).Ghaxaq official Joe Attard was suspended for two months - until June 20.
Tue 20
- Thirty-five non-amateur players have written to the Malta Football Association requesting the right of transfer as their contract expires at the end of the season. According to MFA regulations, players would have to inform the association in writing, their intention to leave a club.
But still, this does not necessarily mean that all the players want to leave their respective clubs. Most of the time, they use this as a precautionary measure.
Sliema have no less than ten players whose contract expires in June: Murphy Akanji, Graham Bencini, David Camilleri, Carlo Mamo, Joe Brincat, Danilo Doncic, Rupert Mangion, Massimo Grima, Lee Lombardi and Kevin Sammut. Camilleri and Grima are currently on loan with Marsaxlokk and Valletta respectively.
Birkirkara, Floriana and Msida have five players each. The Birkirkara players are Matthew Calascione, Sunday Eboh, Lino Galea, Michael Galea, Kenneth Scicluna. Eboh is currently on loan with Marsa. The Floriana players are Matthew Camilleri, Jonathan Holland, Claude Mattocks, Stephen Wellman, Sandro Zammit Fava. On the other hand, Olumuyiwa Aganun, Omar Borg, Dino Cachia, Adrian Farrugia, Tano Farrugia and Charles Sciberras are the five Msida players who informed the association.
Pietà Hotspurs have Chris Okoh, Digger Okonkwo and Anthony Galea (who is currently with St. Andrews); Valletta Edward Azzopardi, Rennie Forace and Daniel Theuma; Hamrun - Daniel Dengaky and David Galea and Hibernians - Ranier Farrugia (currently with Valletta) and Peter Pullicino.
- A record number of 43 teams took part in the 10th Edition of the Coca Cola - Veltins Mediterranean Cup 2004, Malta's biggest youth international football tournament organised by the San Gwann FC Youth Nursery in collaboration with the San Gwann Local Council.
The 43 teams were representing three countries, Malta, Italy and Albania. Most of the players showed great skills and talent and a very good level of football.
It was a tough competition for every squad in every category, in nine consecutive days of football with a total of 102 matches played, the 800 participants battled for the final victory of the Mediterranean Cup.
The winners in every category were as follows: Under 8 - Hibernians FC; Under 9 - Pietà Hotspurs FC; Under 10 - Floriana FC; Under 11 - Melita Amateurs FC; Under 12 - Luxol St. Andrews FC and Under 15 - San Gwann FC.
The tournament ended with the final presentation, all teams were presented with the respective awards, the winners with the Mediterranean Cup and all athelets with commemorative medals.
The San Gwann FC Youth Nursery would like to thank all participants, General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd., Strand Palace Agency Ltd., Aquatess Group of Companies, Michele Peresso Co. Ltd., media officials, MFA, YFA, San Gwann Local Council, the Minister for Infrastructure and Resources and the Minister for Culture and Tourism.
- The Gudja Football Youth Nursery under 12 football team has returned from a seven day visit to Sousse Tunisia, participating in the Tournoi Mediterraneen football tournament, held between 7 and 11 April.
The tournament in its third edition organized by the Federation Tunisien de Football, was divided into four sections, namely, Under 10, Under 11, Under 12, Under 14 teams.
The under 12 team played a total five games against Monreale (Italy), Ilves (Malta), ESS (Sousse Tunisia), ASZS (Sousse Tunisia) and SS (Sousse Tunisia), at the Sousse Olympique Stadium’s training grounds.
The Under 12 tournament was won by ESS (Sousse Tunisia), The Gudja Football Nursery was presented a token by the head of youth football association and congratulated the Maltese team for winning several matches and playing good technical and pleasing football. The local participants were fitting ambassadors of Maltese football for their high sense of sportsmanship and Fair Play.
- Two matches from the MIA Premier League and another two from the MIA Third Division which were due to be played on Friday April 30 were anticipated due to the celebrations marking Malta's accession to the EU which will be held that evening. The four matches were anticipated to Thursday 29.
The Premier League programme is as follows: 18:00 Balzan Youths vs Hamrun Spartans and 20:00 Floriana vs Marsaxlokk.
The Third Division matches - Gharghur vs Luqa St. Andrews and Fgura United vs Melita - are scheduled at 18:00 and 20:00 respectively.
Sun 18
- Premier League Balzan Y. vs Valletta 0-5, Hibernians vs Birkirkara 0-1
- First Division Lija A. vs Mqabba 1-1, Naxxar L. vs Marsa 2-3
- Second Division Zebbug R. vs Zejtun C. 0-1, Mellieha vs Gzira U. 2-0, Gozo vs Xghajra T. 7-2
- Third Division Melita vs Sirens 6-0, Luqa SA vs Kirkop U. 2-2
- Women's First Division Birkirkara vs Hibernians 1-1, Mosta vs Raiders 0-1, Melita vs Rabat A. 7-0
- Gozo - First Division Ghajnsielem vs Victoria H. 4-0
- With Malta formally becoming a member the European Union as from May 1, the Malta Football Association proposed amendments to the Regulations regarding Players registered with Member Clubs in order to be in line with EU regulations and in conformity with FIFA rules. Amendments to the Competition Rules were also discussed. These amendments were discussed by the Council last Thursday.
The main change was the interpretation of who are 'foreign players'. With effect from July 1, only players who are not citizens of the European Union and the European Economic Area and who have no freedom of movement and a legal right to work within the Republic of Malta ('work permit') shall be considered to be foreigners for the purpose of registering for clubs as full-time non-amateur players.
The three-foreigners limit for Premier clubs and one-foreigner limit for First Division clubs is therefore no longer applicable for citizens of the EU and EEA countries.
Clubs with at least a semi-professional status could therefore sign full-time non-amateur players from these countries. These players should have the freedom of movement and the legal right to work.
However the MFA would not allow a club to sign players from outside Europe, if a club has already three or more players coming from the EU/EEA. If, for example, a Premier club has two players coming from the EU/EEA, the club will be allowed to sign a player from outside Europe.
First Division clubs will be allowed to sign one non-EU player, if no other EU/EEA players are registered with the club. Second and Third Division clubs with a semi-professional status can only sign players from the EU as full-time non-amateurs.
Amateur clubs, playing in the Second or Third Division can only register "players who are eligible to play for the national teams", i.e. they are Maltese citizens.
However there was an important change in the Competition Rules. As from next season, a senior team must have at least eight players, who were duly registered with a nursery or youth team for three years, on the field of play.
Under this clause, non-Maltese players who have played for three years for a local nursery will be considered as a local player.
In the case, any of the eight players is substituted, such a player may only be substituted by a player who is likewise qualified. A 'foreign' player could only replace another foreigner so that there are eight local players at any time on the pitch.
Meanwhile non-amateur players will no longer have to wait 48 hours after registration before being eligible to play for their new club. In fact, as from next season, a player becomes eligible immediately after the registration.
Sat 17
- First Division Rabat A. vs San Gwann 0-2, Tarxien R. vs Senglea A. 1-2
- Second Division Zurrieq vs St. Andrews 0-5, Dingli S. vs Attard 2-0
- Gozo - First Division Nadur Y. vs Kercem A. 3-1
- Gozo - Second Division Xaghra U. vs Qala SJ 4-2
- Two competitions have lost their sponsorship while that of the National League - the Premier to the Third Division - has not been extended yet for next season.
The sponsorship of the Euro Challenge Cup competition, which was known as the Lowenbrau Cup for the past six years, was not renewed. The competition will therefore be known as the Euro Challenge Cup.
The quadrangular tournament for the top four clubs, which was known as Super 5 Tournament, is also without a sponsor. The competition was sponsored by the Department of Public Lotto which has now been privatised.
The National League - Premier League, First Division, Second Division and Third Division - have been sponsored by the Malta International Airport this year. However there is no agreement yet for next season.
On the other hand, the FA Trophy could be sponsored as from next season after an absence of two years.
The competitions for season 2004/05 have been approved by the Council of the Malta Football Association in a meeting on Thursday.
The Euro Challenge Cup and the Quadrangular Tournament for the top four clubs will still be held while the Reserves League will be organised if their are enough clubs ready to take part.
The competitions which will be organised are therefore: the National League, the FA Trophy, the Super Cup, the Euro Challenge Cup, the Quadrangular Tournament for the top four clubs, the Second & Third Division Knock-Out, the Reserves League, the Youth League, the Youth Knock-Out, the Women's First Division, the Women's Knock-Out, the Futsal League and the Futsal Knock-Out.
Fri 16
- Premier League Pietà H. vs Marsaxlokk 2-0, Floriana vs Sliema W. 1-4
- Third Division Birzebbuga SP vs Pembroke A. 1-0, Sta. Venera L. vs Mgarr U. 4-0
- The seven clubs who applied for a UEFA Licence had their licence approved by the independent Licensing Board.
The clubs - Birkirkara, Floriana, Hibernians, Marsaxlokk, Pietà Hotspurs, Sliema Wanderers and Valletta - are now eligible to play in the UEFA competitions should they qualify. As usual, Malta will be represented by one team in the Champions League, two teams in the UEFA Cup and another in the UEFA Intertoto Cup.
The three other Premier clubs - Balzan Youths, Hamrun Spartans and Msida St. Joseph - did not apply for a UEFA Licence.
To obtain this licence, clubs had to satisfy five key criteria, namely legal, financial, administrative, infrastructural and sporting criteria.
By May 31, these seven clubs, will have to inform the association about their participation in the Premier League, FA Trophy and Youth League.
By June 30, the clubs will have to send a declaration stating that they have paid all dues to non-amateur players and other employees of the club. The club needs to have a minimum of twelve non-amateur players.
By this same date, the clubs will have to name and present a copy of the contract of the club's Head-Coach, Physiotherapist, General Manager, Security Officer, Media Officer and club stewards.
At the end of the season, clubs will have to confirm once again that these conditions are still satisfied.
Thu 15
- A proposal for a Premier League with eight clubs as from season 2005/2006 was rejected during a meeting of the Council of the Malta Football Association which was held on Thursday.
The proposal stated that the Premier League would have eight clubs, the First Division would have ten clubs, the Second Division twelve clubs while the remaining clubs would play in the Third Division.
MFA President Dr Joe Mifsud had claimed that the need for change was felt to make the National League more competitive and thus attract more spectators.
The fall in attendances was still of concern and the downward trend indicated that something had to be done to revive interest. Of concern was also the fact that return from gate money was dropping. The MFA's income in relation to its growing expenses was also adversely affected.
Only six council members voted in favour of the proposal, twenty-one voted against while another six abstained. It was interesting to note that the council members of four Premier clubs did not attend this meeting. Another council member of a First Division club was not present.
The league set-up of the MFA will thus remain as it is.
- The MFA Protests' Board did not uphold the protest lodged by Floriana against the result of the April 3 FA Trophy quarter-final against Valletta.
The Greens were demanding a replay over an incident which took place on 59 minutes. There was a foul in midfield and Floriana claim referee Anton Zammit signalled a foul in their favour.
However Valletta's Jamie Pace quickly took the freekick, serving Nenad Veselji who managed to beat Matthew Camilleri to score the only goal.
The result is to stand and therefore Valletta join Sliema, Birkirkara and Marsaxlokk in the semi-finals.
- The former MFA General Secretary, Joe A. Sacco was nominated by UEFA for Order of Merit for services rendered to the Game. The MFA is submitting the name of Joe Cassar Naudi, ex-referee and member of the Executive Committee, for the FIFA Centennial Order of Merit for services rendered to the Game.
Wed 14
- Gozo - Second Division Gharb R. vs SK Victoria W. 0-6
- Malta went down two places in FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking as published on Wednesday following the 1-2 defeat to Finland in a friendly match last month.
Among the other European countries, Malta still holds the 46th place, lying ahead of Faroe Islands (129, down 1), Kazakhstan (136), Andorra (147), Liechtenstein (149, down 1), Luxembourg (156, down 2) and San Marino (165, down 2).
Although the Malta Football Association was hoping to organise another friendly match this month, this attempt seems to have failed and therefore the next game for Malta is the May 27 friendly against Germany in Freiburg.
- Seven Premier League players were handed a one-match ban by the MFA Disciplinary Commissioner after being sent off or collecting their fourth yellow card. The worse hit were Pietà and Marsaxlokk who both had two players suspended.
Marsaxlokk's Richard Buhagiar and Kevin Mamo and Pietà's Anatole Debono and Sharlon Pace will be missing as the two teams face each other on Friday. Pace was sent off while Buhagiar, Mamo and Debono received a fourth yellow card.
Champions Sliema Wanderers will be without Joe Brincat who was suspended after receiving the fourth yellow card. He will be missing the game against Floriana on Friday. Missing for the Greens will be Stephen Wellman who was also banned for one game.
Birkirkara defender Mark Anthony Bonnici was also suspended after collecting a fourth yellow card. He will be missing Sunday's Premier League match against Hibernians.
Four players were suspended for one match in Division 1 - Alan Ellul (Lija), Matthew Agius (Mosta), Clint Caruana (Senglea) and Thomas Caruana (St. Patrick). Kevin Pace of Third Division side Ta' Xbiex was suspended for one match.
Three Dingli players were banned after being reported during a friendly match. Darren Attard and Aldrin Muscat were suspended for two matches while Jesmond Schembri was handed a one-match ban.
Six youth players were suspended for one match - Owen Formosa (Attard), Ryan Fenech (Hamrun), Luke Vassallo (Melita), Marlon Borg (Mellieha), Chris Anastasi (Pembroke) and Christian Brignone (St. George's).
Mosta kit-manager Stephen Borg and Pembroke U-19 coach Gordon Grima Baldacchino were fined Lm 15 and Lm 25 respectively.
Tue 13
- Premier League Floriana vs Hibernians 1-2, Birkirkara vs Marsaxlokk 1-3
- The MFA Technical Centre invites applications from interested Coaches who would like to be considered for selection as Staff Coaches in the Youth Sector of the Malta Football Association for Season 2004/05.
Applicants must be in possession of an MFA/UEFA 'A' or MFA/UEFA 'B' Diploma or an MFA 'A' or 'B' Diploma.
Interested Coaches must submit their application, together with a detailed CV, to the MFA Technical Director, Mr Horst Heese, at the MFA Technical Centre, Ta' Qali, by not later than Friday April 30, 2004.
Coaches who are currently serving as Staff Coaches in the MFA Youth Sector, if interested, also need to apply.
Mon 12
- Premier League Balzan Y. vs Msida SJ 0-3, Pietà H. vs Sliema W. 1-5
- Third Division Fgura U. vs Qormi 1-6, Gharghur vs Sta. Lucia 4-0
- MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud and Egyptian official Ismail Taha who visited Kenya this weekend in a bid to resolve the crisis that hit football in the Nigerian state left the country on Saturday without meeting the Minister for Sports Najib Balala, according to BBC Sport.
The two held meetings with the outgoing Kenya Football Federation executive office and a government representative. They were due to oversee the KFF elections on Saturday but these were postponed following a high court ruling on Thursday.
Mifsud and Taha declined to meet the government-appointed KFF transitional committee that is charged with managing the game for three months pending elections.
The Fifa envoys did not make any official announcements during their short visit but according to the outgoing KFF secretary-general Hussein Swaleh said they left disappointed after failing to meet Balala. "It was the minister who wrote to Fifa president Sepp Blatter and is the main reason for the visit by the two officials. They expected to meet Balala and were not happy that he was unavailable, " Swaleh said.
Taha and Mifsud met the sports permanent secretary Nancy Kirui, Commissioner for Sports Emmanuel Odour and Kenya National Sports Council chairman Joshua Okuthe.
Emmanuel Oduor refused to say what was discussed at the meeting until the Minister for Sport has been briefed. The Commissioner for Sports said they tried to clear up the confusion surrounding the appointment of the transitional committee which had been appointed by the Minister. He claimed the transitional committee was formed because the mandate of the KFF had expired without them holding elections.
"Nothing concrete was reached and we have invited them to come back when the Minister was around," Odour said.
The government and the KFF are at loggerheads over allegations of financial impropriety and mismanagement.
Sun 11
- First Division Mqabba vs St. Patrick 2-1, Mosta vs Naxxar L. 1-1
- Gozo - First Division Xewkija T. vs Nadur Y. 3-3, Zebbug R. vs Sannat L. 4-1
Sat 10
- First Division Tarxien R. vs Lija A. 0-1, Senglea A. vs Marsa 1-2
- Third Division Gudja U. vs Ta' Xbiex 2-0, Ghaxaq vs Siggiewi 1-1
- Gozo - First Division Ghajnsielem vs Kercem A. 1-2
- Gozo - Second Division Oratory Y. vs St. Lawrence S. 2-2
- The Tony Bajada Tournament organised by the Hamrun Spartans Youth Nursery came to an end on Saturday with the finals in the four categories.
Twenty-eight teams representing eighteen youth nurseries were taking part in the tournament.
In the Under 13 category, Sliema Wanderers won Group A ahead of St. Patrick, Mosta and Zebbug Rangers while Pietà Hotspurs claimed Group B ahead of Melita, Hamrun Spartans and Lija-Iklin.
Sliema defeated Melita 6-4 after the penalty shoot-out in the semi-finals while Pietà beat St. Patrick 5-1 in the other semi-final. The Hotspurs emerged as winners in the final, beating Sliema 2-0.
In the Under 10 category, Pietà won Group A, ahead of Melita, St. Andrews and Valletta. Sliema Wanderers won Group B with six points, ahead of Naxxar, Marsaxlokk and Hamrun.
In the semi-finals, Pietà beat Naxxar 6-0 while Sliema defeated Melita 2-1 after the penalty shoot-out. Pietà won the category after beating Sliema 5-3 in the final.
In the Under 8 category, Pietà Hotspurs won Group A ahead of Zebbug Rangers and Msida St. Joseph. Hamrun Spartans emerged as winners in Group B ahead of Qormi and Attard. Pietà and Hamrun beat Qormi 7-0 and Zebbug 4-2 respectively in the semi-finals on Thursday. In the final, Hamrun defeated Pietà by the odd goal in five.
In the Under 6 category, Hamrun Spartans won group A ahead of San Gwann and Kirkop United. Paola Hibs won group B ahead of Pietà Hotspurs and Floriana. In the semi-finals, Hamrun lost 1-2 to Pietà while Paola Hibs defeated San Gwann 3-0. Paola Hibs managed to beat Pietà 2-0 in the final.
Fri 9
- MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud travelled to Kenya on Friday where he will be undergoing talks which are meant to resolve the crisis that has plunged Kenyan football into total chaos. Mifsud, together with Ismail Taha, were appointed by FIFA as mediators.
The MFA president had already acted as mediator in a similar crisis that hit the Football Association of Tanzania two years ago.
"All the problems and all the accusations can be discussed within the existing structures while respecting the principle of innocent until proven guilty," said FIFA general secretary Urs Linsi in a statement last week.
Mifsud and Taha will be meeting members of the Kenya Football Federation (KFF) executive in Nairobi in the first round of talks.
Outgoing KFF secretary general Hussein Swaleh announced that the national elections which were scheduled to be held this weekend have been put off following a court order stopping the process. Peter Onalo, who is gunning for the chairman's post, said he will also respect the court order.
The crisis that hit Kenyan football reached a new high when the minister in charge of sports, Najib Balala, dissolved the outgoing KFF national executive and replaced it with a caretaker stakeholders committee with the task of helping organise fresh elections.
Members of this committee have now put out a memorandum of the issues they will raise with the FIFA representatives. Top among the issues is what they argue is the inability of FIFA to reply to a number of appeals and concerns raised by clubs over the running of the KFF in the last three years. The committee wants to know the results of an audit carried out on the KFF four years ago by audit firm KPMG. FIFA will also be put to task to explain how much money they have donated to KFF over the last four years and to which account the money was deposited.
The stakeholders committee was put in place by the government four weeks ago to manage the affairs of KFF for a period of three months. The committee is headed by Dr Mike Boit and will among other things work on the federation's constitution.
Dr Boit, a former athlete, said: "We have a very short time within which to work and it is not our intention to antagonise the KFF but to help build a stronger, and more efficient federation that will help the game of football to grow."
Thu 8
- Gozo - First Division Victoria H. vs Zebbug R. 2-2
- The MFA Technical Centre will be organizing another Instructional Meeting on Monday April 12 for holders of ‘A’ and ‘B’, UEFA ‘A’ and UEFA ‘B’ licence coaches. This meeting will commence at 17:00.
Wed 7
- Floriana lodged a protest against the result of last Saturday's FA Trophy quarter-final against Valletta. The Greens are demanding a replay.
The incident in question took place on 59 minutes. There was a foul in midfield and Floriana claim referee Anton Zammit signalled a foul in their favour.
However Valletta's Jamie Pace quickly took the freekick, serving Nenad Veselji who managed to beat Matthew Camilleri to score the only goal.
The protest will be heard on Thursday 15.
- The team representing Malta in the UEFA Intertoto Cup will be facing the second team from Croatia in the first round of the competition. Croatia are in fact represented by two teams in this competition.
The team which is likely to face the Maltese team could be NK Osijek who are currently fourth in the Croatian First Division League.
The draw for the first three rounds of the 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup was held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. In all, 61 teams from across the continent will take part in the summer competition, which offers a trio of places in next season's UEFA Cup as its prize.
The first leg will be played on June 19 or 20 in Malta. The return leg will be played in Croatia on June 26 or 27.
The team which qualifies for the second round faces the winner of the clash between the team representing Albania and the team representing Israel. The second round matches will be held on 2004 July 3/4 and 10/11. The Maltese or Croatian team will play the first leg at home in the second round.
Five clubs applied to take part in the competition: Birkirkara, Hibernians, Marsaxlokk, Pietà Hotspurs and Floriana. The club which places third or fourth in the Premier League, depending on which team wins the FA Trophy, qualifies for the Intertoto Cup.
- Hibernians midfielder Essien Mbong will be missing the next Premier League match against Floriana after being sent off in the FA Trophy quarter-final against Marsaxlokk.
Since Hibs were eliminated from the competition, he will have to serve the suspension in a league game.
Other players to be suspended for one match were Dean Gera of Naxxar Lions, Christian Muscat of Rabat Ajax, Jonathan Sapiano of Dingli Swallows, Roberto Pisani of St. Andrews, Joseph Mizzi of Vittoriosa Stars and Jeffrey Zammit of Sta. Venera Lightenings.
Three youth players - Roberto Lia (Fgura), Mark Scerri (Tarxien) and Simon Darmanin (Zurrieq) were suspended for one match. Chris Cioffi of St. Patrick was banned for two matches.
Mon 5
- Second Division St. Andrews vs Gozo 5-5, Vittoriosa S. vs St. George's 0-0
- The Liverpool FC Junior Soccer Camp 2004 was launched during a press conference which was held at the Liverpool Supporters Club, Mosta on Monday. The camp will be held between April 26 and 30.
Liverpool FC together with the Liverpool Supporters Club (Malta) are organising this prestigious event in the form of a football camp open to both boys and girls, born from January 1, 1989 and December 31 1996.
Although the Liverpool Supporters Club (Malta) was founded less than ten years ago, they share a solid bond with Liverpool FC by visiting the Mother Club and holding regular talks with top officials within the Liverpool hierarchy. Many of these meetings have proved very fruitful in the past as they managed to bring the Liverpool squad to Malta for a training camp in January 2000.
Talks with Liverpool's Youth Academy deputy director Frank Skelly and head of coaching Stuart Gelling last November brought about the idea of organising this camp. Skelly was a member of the coaching staff at Kirkby and now coordinates the whole set-up at the Liverpool Academy together with former Liverpool and Northern Ireland international Steve Heighway.
The objective of the Livepool FC Camp is not only to help develop young footballers but also to help the community. In fact, preliminary talks with national coach and MFA Technical Director Horst Heese have already taken place and these coaches should conduct a lecture for the coaches attending the UEFA 'B' Licence coaching course. Another lecture will be delivered on April 28 for nursery coaches and PE teachers. Those interested should apply at the Liverpool Supporters Club.
Conducting the camp are Frank Skelly and Stuart Gelling together with Ian Brunskill, Gareth Evans and James Parry. These will be assisted by eight Maltese coaches: Jonathan Holland, Ronald Vella, Marco Grech, Paul Zammit, Iro Curmi, Saviour Darmanin, Pierre Brincat and Stephen Grima.
Four training sessions of ninety minutes each will be held between Monday 26 and Thursday 29. Due to strong reponse received, there will be two sessions daily between 17:00 and 18:30, 18:30 and 20:00. The participants will be split into their respective age groups and gathered into groups of around 20. The venue is the National Hockey Complex in Corradino.
On Friday, a special training session of ninety minutes will be exclusively organised for Gozitan youngsters. This event will be held at the Gozo Stadium.
In the evening, all participants will be presented with a medal and a signed certificate of attendance. During this presentation, the four most promising youngsters will be chosen to take part in a fully paid training camp at the LFC Academy in Liverpool.
140 applications have already been received and there are 17 places left for the LFC camp. There are ten places left for the session which will be held in Gozo. Those interested should contact Steve Sciberras on 7949 3445 or Matthew Pace on 7997 9999. The closing date is April 18.
The fee is Lm 35 which includes a football shirt, shorts, socks and ball.
The Liverpool FC Junior Soccer Camp 2004 is made possible thanks to the sponsorship of Pepsi, Eurosport, Capital Radio, the Ministry of Education, Airmalta and the Dolmen Resort Hotel.
- Three football nurseries - Valletta FC Youth Nursery, Birkirkara FC Youth Nursery and Sta. Venera Utd. Youth Nursery are taking part in the XXVI Travel Sports International Tournament - Trophy San Jaime in Costa Brava, Spain between April 6 and 13.
These three nurseries will be taking part with five teams in four categories. Sta. Venera are taking part in the “Infantil” category; Valletta in “Cadete” and “Alevin” while Birkirkara are participating in the “Cadete” and “Benjamin”.
Taking part in the tournament are over hundred teams coming from several countries including Spain, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Israel, Hungary, Slovakia, France and Russia.
The Maltese contingent, which is made up 140 players and officials, will be visiting places of interest like Barcellona, the Nou Camp, the F.C. Barcellona museum, the Olympic Village, Port Aventura and Girona during their stay.
Sun 4
- FA Trophy Mosta vs Birkirkara 0-5, Hibernians vs Marsaxlokk 1-4
- First Division San Gwann vs Mqabba 0-3, Naxxar L. vs Rabat A. 3-1
- Second Division Gzira U. vs Dingli S. 1-0, Zejtun C. vs Mellieha 0-1
- Third Division Sta. Venera L. vs Luqa SA 2-1, Pembroke A. vs Melita 0-2
- Women's League Hibernians vs Raiders 8-0, Rabat Ajax vs Mosta 0-5
- Gozo - Second Division SK Victoria W. vs Oratory Y. 2-0, Xaghra U. vs Qala SJ 4-1
Sat 3
- FA Trophy Msida SJ vs Sliema W. 0-1, Valletta vs Floriana 1-0
Floriana are expected to file a protest against the result of the FA Trophy quarter-final as they claim referee Anton Zammit committed a technical error.
Speaking during the after-match press conference, Floriana president Dennis Burke said he was disappointed a wrong decision by the referee decided the match.
"We are going to lodge a protest on the basis of a technical error. It is unfair for a wrong decision by a referee to give a win to either side," said Burke.
The incident in question took place on 59 minutes. There was a foul in midfield. The referee apparently turned to the right to signal a foul in favour of Floriana. However, according to Valletta captain Ivan Zammit, the referee called 'red ball'.
Valletta's Jamie Pace quickly took the freekick, serving Nenad Veselji who managed to beat Matthew Camilleri to score the only goal.
Valletta assistant coach Jesmond Zerafa was satisfied with his players' performance. "The best team won. Our players rose to the occasion and we deserved to win."
Zerafa also thanked the supporters who turned out in a large number for the game.
Valletta vice-president Paul Spiteri said the club is now looking forward to winning the FA Trophy. "This is our last chance to win something this season. We would like to be the first team to win the trophy despite playing in the Relegation Pool."
On the other hand, when asked about his position as Floriana coach following the defeat to Pietà and the elimination from the FA Trophy, Ziya Yildiz said, "At the beginning of the season, the club's objective was a top-six finish. Something we already achieved. Last year, we only managed to avoid relegation in the final game."
"With the players at my disposal, we could only make it to the fifth or sixth place since the other teams are stronger than we are," concluded Yildiz.
- Third Division Qormi vs Gudja U. 2-0, Sta. Lucia vs Ghaxaq 4-0
- Gozo - First Division Xewkija T. vs Victoria H. 1-1
Sat 3
- Youth Nursery Football Clubs in Malta and Gozo are invited to register two of their top young soccer players, born in 1991 and born in 1992, for the third edition of the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge.
Organised by Chelsea Supporters Club - Malta (CSCM), sponsored by Emirates Airline, and supported by Chelsea FC, this year's edition of the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge will take place at the Centenary Stadium at Ta' Qali on Sunday, 30th May 2004. The competition is designed to enhance individual technique of our Maltese young footballers.
During the event's briefing held specifically for the Youth Nurseries at Kennedy Nova Hotel in Gzira, CSCM President Joe Anastasi explained that this event provides an opportunity for young aspiring footballers to test their skills individually rather than as a team.
He said: "The Challenge is designed to develop individual talent of the young 11 and 12 year olds registered with Nursery Clubs in Malta and Gozo. Each child competes among the best players of same age group from every participating Youth Nursery. We augur that more Youth Nurseries enter for this year's competition. The past two editions were a great success and Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge has now become a regular annual fixture."
"Chelsea FC has once again extended its support for the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge 2004. CFC is planning to send an Official from the Youth Training Academy to oversee the event and assist the adjudicating panel.
"In the previous two years, Chris Harris and Sean Gore, both from Football in the Community were appointed by Chelsea Football Club to assist this competition in Malta. CSCM is also in negotiations with Chelsea FC to bring over to Malta a senior personality from the managerial or playing staff for the forthcoming competition," said Joe Anastasi.
Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, which operates three direct flights weekly from Dubai to Malta, is the official sponsor of Chelsea Football Club. Emirates' deal with Chelsea FC is worth £24 million, which runs for four years until 2004/5 season. This is said to be one of the biggest sponsorships in the world of international football.
Malta was among the first to benefit from this sponsorship scheme through the launch of Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge 2002. The concept of this challenge was developed in Malta by the Chelsea Supporters Club - Malta in collaboration with Emirates Airline.
Emirates' District Manager, Paul Fleri Soler, said: "We are extending our sponsorship for the third consecutive year to support this exciting initiative for young aspiring footballers in Malta. We hope that many children will participate in the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge 2004 and that we will see some stars of the future develop their skills in the exhilarating sport."
CSCM Official and Event Co-ordinator, Chris Micallef, gave details of the competition. Each nursery is invited to select two top players: one born in 1991 and another player born in 1992. On the 30th May 2004, all chosen participants will be tested on their individual skills in dribbling, juggling and shooting, according to the Set Minimum Standards of the Nursery Clubs. The judging panel will be composed of three established Maltese coaches.
"The Challenge will close with the presentation of Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge 2004 Shield, presented to the coach of the overall winning Nursery Club. Two young footballer winners (1991 & 1992) will each receive a Trophy and a prize of Lm100 worth of Chelsea branded goods."
In addition, each winning Nursery Club will this year receive Lm150 worth of goods, an even better incentive than the prizes awarded in the past two years," explained Mr Micallef. Certificates will be presented to all participants.
Nominations from nursery clubs will be accepted on the respective application form. These forms together with the Rules & Regulations will be mailed to each Youth Nursery in Malta and Gozo. The closing date of entries is Friday, 30th April 2004.
Sliema Wanderers FC Youth Nursery has scooped the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge Shield for the past two editions. The winners were Matthew Schembri and Miguel Ciantar for the 2002 and 2003 editions respectively. In 2002, the runner-up was Malcolm Vella from Kercem Ajax Youth Nursery and Andreas Galea from B'Kara FC Youth Nursery was the runner-up in 2003.
In conjunction with the third edition of Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge, CSCM is holding a separate competition for children whose parents are members of the club. CSCM members are now able to register their children aged 9 to 15 years for the membership competition. The winner of the Membership Competition will receive a Trophy and Chelsea FC branded gift.
This is the second time that CSCM is organizing the Membership Competition. Last year the CSCM Membership trophy was awarded to 12 year old Stephen Micallef, who is trained by Melita FC Youth Nursery.
Thu 1
- Pietà Hotspurs unveiled a new official sponsor for the coming three years - HK Corporation. This was revealed during a press conference which was held at the Hilton Hotel, St. Julian's and which was addressed by Pietà Hotspurs president Edward Schembri and HK Corporation CEO Mazhar Akhtar.
The two parties agreed a three-year deal. This sponsorship, according to Edward Schembri, is the largest one ever for the club. He thanked George Spiteri and Stanley Bugeja as it was through them that Pietà managed to secure the sponsorship.
Akhtar said an important clause in this sponsorship agreement was the promotion of youth football and football in the community. He spoke about the role of football in the community, saying it helps those who may have problems to focus on something better in life. "The sponsorship should help give children a chance to play the game."
The HK Corporation CEO went on to say that through contacts with foreign clubs and trainers, he will be trying to find out ways how he could help the club. He revealed that he has close ties with top Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. Asked what should be the club's targets, Akhtar said "Anything is possible. With the due support, they can achieve success." He revealed that he would double the sponsorship should Pietà claim the championship.
HK Corporation specialises in property development. With operations based in Europe and the Middle East, HK Corporation is a rapidly expanding company with offices in key locations around the world, including Spain, Dubai, Holland, Germany and Moscow.
The Malta office will showcase HK Corporation's exclusive property developments to property buyers throughout the region. Its spectacular Reserva de Miraflores resort on Spain's Costa del Sol, has already attracting considerable interest, with more than 70% of apartments sold since the project launched.
HK Corporation builds in some of the world's most exclusive locations and offers comprehensive, end-to-end services for property buyers and owners.