The Wilkinson Sword league has come to the end of the first round and the bitterly fought summer waterpolo league draws near.

McDonald’s will be sponsoring the hugely successful Sliema Aquatic Sports Club. The sponsorship agreement was signed this week by Mr Kevin Urry, Financial Controller of McDonald’s Malta, and Sliema ASC President Mr Michael Gatt and Secretary Mr Tony Psaila.

Sliema ASC’s many successes are legendary. Sliema were the first club to notch 50 major titles winning 29 league championship and 21 KO competition victories.

“We’re proud to be associated with this winning team” said Mr. Melo Hili, the McDonald’s Managing Director. “This club mirrors the end-result of effort, staying fit and achieving - in fact everything McDonald’s stand for’ he added. ‘There’s no way you’re going to be playing with this team and not lead a healthy and active lifestyle” he went on.

Throughout their colourful history - the club was founded in 1912 - Sliema Aquatic Sports Club have been to the European Cup competitions six times. The Sliema waterpolo club has perhaps the most boisterous and merry band of supporters that unflinchingly backs the club – highly visible on the terraces each time the Sliema team turns up for league and cup meetings.

McDonald’s worldwide is a great believer in backing sporting events - more so sporting clubs in communities that also host McDonald’s restaurants. In the case of Sliema McDonald’s operate a restaurant at the Plaza Shopping Centre in Bizazza Street.

McDonald’s in Malta are renowned for sponsoring a variety of sporting, social, entertainment and community events.

In the field of sports McDonald’s are perhaps best known for having sponsored the Birkirkara Football team for years. Other events that have continuously benefited from McDonald’s sponsorships include the Malta Olympic Committee Fun Run and the Malta Cup.

McDonald’s is also a major backer of the Ministry for the Environment’s annual Clean Up the World Campaign. For the first time this year McDonald’s is sponsoring a sulky horse racer, Charles Camilleri. The company also sponsors university student campaigns and in the field of entertainment backs the hugely popular singer Ira Losco.