The Malta Football Association is celebrating 50 years of international football these days with a programme of activities which will culminate on Wednesday 7 February with a match against Austria at the National Stadium, Ta' Qali.

It is to be recalled that Malta's first international match was played in February 1957. On that day, Malta also played Austria who won the encounter 3-2.

MFA president Dr Joseph Mifsud, fresh from his success in last Friday's UEFA elections where he was re-elected for another four-year term to sit on the Executive Committee, said the MFA had been working to commemorate this great event during the past few months.

Addressing a news conference yesterday morning, he said that the activities will include the exhibition which was inaugurated later by the President himself, a Gala event at the Millennium Stand today week which will be attended by several distinguished personalities, including the Prime Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque which will record the two matches against Austria. National team players - past and present and including those who played in that inaugural 1957 match - are being invited to attend.

He also said that a painting competition for schoolchildren has already been held, while a booklet to commemorate the occasion has also been printed. Also, a souvenir programme on the occasion of the 7 February match, is to be printed.

The painting competition, for which there were 85 entries, was won by Angelique Borg, second was Leandro Debono and third Claudia Portelli from Gozo. The booklet is the work of a specially set-up editorial board which consisted of Albert Fenech, Joe Sacco, Benny Pace and MFA vice-president John Farrugia. Earlier it had been entrusted to the late Lewis Portelli who, unfortunately, passed away early in September last year.

Dr Mifsud also said that for this occasion only, the firm Teamsport, yesterday represented by Jonathan Darmanin, is donating to the national squad a full kit with vests to be worn by the players very similar to those worn by the Malta players in 1957.

Speaking of the past, Dr Mifsud said he thought it had been a great idea to get Malta starting playing international matches. "We have never expected to get results as those obtained by the big countries. We have always been a small country and will remain for ever a small country. But on some occasions, we have been successful even against the bigger fry. The latest example was last October when we managed to beat Hungary 2-1 in a European Championship match," he said.

National coach Dusan Fitzel also addressed the press briefly, saying that he has all players at his disposal with no injury problems. "The only forced absence is that of Andre Schembri who will resume training soon, but has been advised by the doctors not to play now. We will probably have him back in the team for the two competitive matches next month against Moldova and Greece," he said.

Speaking on the match, Fitzel said they were attaching a lot of importance to it as it is the last friendly before next month's matches. "I just hope these celebrations will not affect the performance of the players," he added.

The match is to be played at the National Stadium, Ta' Qali, on Wednesday 7 February, starting at 6pm.

It is to be noted that the Austrians will not be coming over just for the match. In fact they will be holding a training camp here between 31 January and 7 February. They are expected to have eight training sessions in all, apart from the match. They will be accommodated that the SAS Radisson Bay Point Resort in St Julian's during their stay in Malta.

The MFA has also organised a friendly for the Under 21 side on this occasion, even though the opponents will be Finland, not Austria. This match is to be played on 6 February at the Hibs Ground, starting at 3pm.

Mark Miller, national Under 21 coach said it was great for his boys to be having the opportunity to play another match before next month's draw for the forthcoming European Championship at that level. "We are all looking forward to this match and we all hope to do well," he said.

Mr Ludovico Micallef, MFA vice-president also introduced the logo for this event - 50 years of international football 1957-2007 - adding that the design was made by his brother Joseph.

Dr Mifsud later opened the very nostalgic exhibition which includes various interesting items, among which are pictures from past matches, including the Malta-Austria match of 1957, banners exchanged by the captains, gifts from various associations to the MFA, including UEFA, a national team jersey worn by Vincent 'Maxi' Magro in the match against Greece and other jerseys of foreign national teams including one of Germany and another of England, caps presented to some players, some of the souvenir programmes printed for national team matches and several other memorabilia.

It is open to the public throughout the week.