Maltco Lotteries will be the sponsors of the FA Trophy and the Second & Third Division Knock-Out for the next three years.

The signing of the sponsorship agreement was held yesterday at the Centenary Hall.

The official names for the two competitions will be U*BET FA Trophy and Quick Keno Div. II/III KO.

Addressing the press MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud said the MFA was delighted to announce this sponsorship thanks to which the winners and the finalists of the FA Trophy will be receiving a handsome cash reward while all the participants of the Div II/III KO will be receiving cash prizes depending on their progress in the competition.

The MFA president said the cash prizes will be the highest ever for both competitions and that the clubs will be receiving these cash prizes directly from Maltco Lotteries at the end of the season.

Intralot CEO Mr Antonopoulos said he was pleased that this agreement has been reached, adding that they were only continuing the work of their predecessors, the Department of Lotto.

“It is a privilege for us to support the association’s efforts for upgrading its competitions,” said Mr Antonopoulos.

Maltco Lotteries CEO Mr Katakis said that the cash prizes should make the competitions more challenging for the participants and more attractive for the spectators. He went on to say that the company hopes to increase the sponsorship in future following the expiry of this first agreement.

At the end he also said the company was very pleased with the excellent results obtained throughout the first year of its operations in Malta. “I think we have made a very good investment in Malta,” he added.

The draws

U*BET FA Trophy first round

Marsaxlokk-Lija A.; St. George’s-Hamrun S.; Floriana-Tarxien R.; St. Patrick-Mosta; Pietà H.-San Gwann; Mqabba-Msida SJ; St. Andrews-Marsa; Naxxar L.-Senglea A.

The first round will be played on October 29 and 30, November 5 and 6 at the Centenary Stadium.

Quick Keno Div II/III KO

Group 1: Xghajra T., Gzira U., Kirkop U., Gudja U.

Group 2: Zebbug R., Siggiewi, Vittoriosa S., Mgarr U.

Group 3: Kalkara, Dingli S., Ta’ Xbiex, Mellieha

Group 4: Qormi, Rabat A., St. Venera, Sta. Lucia

Group 5: Sirens, Ghaxaq, Melita

Group 6: Zejtun C., Birzebbuga SP, Balzan Y.

Group 7: Pembroke A., Fgura U., Attard

Group 8: Luqa SA, Zurrieq, Gharghur

The preliminary round group stage will be played between September 4 and 21.