The FIFA Two-Star artificial turf pitch has been laid at the Centenary Stadium and will be inaugurated next Monday at 7.30pm. Meanwhile, the MFA is planning to inaugurate the new scoreboard with visual facilities at Ta’ Qali National Stadium during one of the home matches Maltese club teams will be playing in UEFA competitions in the coming days.
The other projects relate to the conversion of the old gym underneath the West Stand to one used by the Malta national team players, and the new fence along the West Stand.
It was announced that the mandatory annual tests by FIFA on the artificial turf at the Centenary Stadium will be financed by UEFA. That means an outlay of about Lm 35,000 over five years, which is a substantial saving by the MFA.
Hamrun Spartans have notified the MFA that they have put Jonathan Magri Overend and David Galea on the transfer list.
Officials and committee members of Member Clubs and Member Associations, delegates, Council Members and Observers of Member Clubs in the MFA Council for season 2007-2008 were approved by the Council.
George Micallef, General Manager Sports Facilities, has reached retirement age after having occupied this post since 1992. The MFA thanked Mr Micallef for his services. He is being substituted by Victor Mifsud, who has held positions with the MFA in connection with gate responsibilities in different venues.
On the occasion of the last Council meeting of the season, and as is usual practice, the MFA president, Dr Joe Mifsud addressed the Council. He thanked the MFA Officials, the Council members, those sitting on the Executive Committee and the many others forming part of the different Committees and Boards, for their unselfish work throughout the season. Appreciation was also shown to the families of all these officials and members for their cooperation.
Dr Mifsud pointed out the work which the MFA did in the area of legislation during the outgoing administrative year.
He spoke about the big projects the Association had undertaken, including the new MFA Headquarters, the FIFA Two-Star Pitch at the Centenary Stadium and the Mini-Pitches project.
Referring to the elections of some MFA officials in the coming Annual General Meeting, including that of President, Dr Mifsud said that he was re-submitting his name as candidate for the top post in the knowledge that he felt he had enough energy to continue steering the MFA ship with the help of the other officials of the Association, and if the delegates so approve.
His re-election earlier this year on the UEFA Executive Committee, which means that at the end of this current term he will have been a remarkable total of 17 years as member of UEFA’s most influential organ, has given him further impetus in his aim to continue working for the benefit of the game in Malta and abroad.
Dr Mifsud’s connection with administrative affairs in football extends to 40 years, ever since he started occupying the post of secretary of a small local club. He is determined to continue rendering his services to the game.
Towards the end of his address, Dr Mifsud spoke about the plans the MFA has in order to implement its programme of providing a realistic and sounder structure for the game in Malta, including schemes of allocating financial aid to Member Clubs for specific infrastructural projects such as improving their facilities.