MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud yesterday reiterated that he still intended to conest the election for the association’s presidency near the end of July.

He said that he was now opening his election campaign, even if the other contestant had decided to start his own several weeks ago. “Contrary to what was being rumoured, I intend contesting again for several reasons. First of all, despite having led the association for almost 15 years and for 10 years as vice-president, I still believe I have a lot to offer to Maltese football. After all, I am still 56, the age when most presidents of European Associations get elected for the first time. Moreover, my recent re-election to the UEFA executive committee also gave me a lot of encouragement to pursue my aims,” he said.

Mifsud said that the association had suffered a lot of damage a few years ago and that was another reason for his decision to contest once again. “I cannot see the association suffering more damage now. We need unity among our members, not division. Let us not forget this is not a political election,” he added.

The MFA president said this had been a good year for the association during which several projects had been taken in hand.

He said that with regards to the association’s facilities, apart from the change to the surface of the Centenary Stadium, 30 of the 35 mini-pitches had now been ordered and should be completed by the end of the year.

He added that another major project was the transfer of the headquarters from Valletta to Ta’ Qali which should be inaugurated on 27 June. He said at Ta’ Qali, the MFA is hoping to be functioning in a better way as it will have modern premises.

The MFA has also decided to change the scorebaord at the National Stadium. The new state-of-the-art scoreboard is to be inaugurated before the first match of the Euro Cup of the new season.

Also, the MFA will also be changing the iron railings at the West End (Enclosure) at the Stadium, and this will also include the partitions. The new set-up will be in glass, similar to that at the Millennium Stand. He added that the association hopes to eventually also change those behind the goalposts in future, when finances permitted.

Another project being undertaken at present is the rehabilitation of the old gymnasium which is now being turned into the headquarters of the national team which will include dressing rooms and a section for indoor training. He said this project was in an advanced stage.