The Malta Football Association will be inaugurating its news headquarters at Ta' Qali this evening.

The premises are to be officially opened by the President, Dr Edward Fenech Adami, and blessed by the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech, who will be representing the Archbishop, Mgr Pawlu Cremona, who is at present in Rome. Also present will be some top UEFA and FIFA delegates, including newly appointed UEFA general secretary David Taylor.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini had also been invited to come over for the occasion, but they are at present attending a FIFA Executive Committee.

Addressing a news conference yesterday afternoon, MFA president Dr Joseph Mifsud said this was another big project by the MFA. "It is one of two big projects which we will be inaugurating within a month. They will cost around Lm500,000, but the association did not feel the need to get loans from the banks this time. These premises, for example, have been funded by financial aid from FIFA which has contributed no fewer than $400,000 as well as another sum from the TV rights company which is contracted by the MFA. Their contributions will cover most of the expenses involved," added Dr Mifsud.

He went on to explain that the Centenary Stadium surface was being funded by UEFA through its 'hat-trick' programme.

The MFA president said this was the first time that the MFA was moving its offices outside the capital, Valletta. "In the early days, there had been other headquarters. It was in 1982 that the MFA had felt the need to buy its own premises even if it did not have the money available - Lm25,000 - those days. But we bought the St Paul Street, Valletta, premises which was a normal residence and which we turned into the offices which served the association for the past 25 years.

"Now these have become too small for the activities which the association holds throughout each year. That is why we felt the need to move to Ta' Qali where the workers will have much more space - four or five times as much as Valletta - and a much better environment, apart from having no parking problems," said Dr Mifsud.

The MFA president said the new premises will be fully operational in 15 days time, although several offices have already been transferred from Valletta.

There will be an ultra modern reception which will include a section for the association's trophies - a place where these can be viewed and enjoyed by all visitors to the offices, an Executive Committee room, offices for the president, general secretary, their secretaries, and others, including the Technical and Security departments, the registry and two rooms where to hold meetings.

Dr Mifsud, however, said that Council meetings will still be held at the Centenary Stadium Hall, which had more than enough seating capacity to host the Council members.

Dr Mifsud thanked all those who were involved in the project from start to finish.