The organisers of the Malta Football Awards, Events Services, yesterday announced that General Soft Drinks Co Ltd, through their brand Coke Zero, will be sponsoring a new award this season - the Best Support.
The award will honour the best fan following throughout the season, starting from last August, taking into consideration all the local leagues, from the Premier to the Third Division.
Supporters of local football teams are encouraged to visit the site www.cokezero.com.mt and create a login name and password. They will then be able to submit and upload photos and videos of their respective support to the website. These will be uploaded 12 hours later though only after being vetted.
A jury has been set up and will be looking out for the best choreography, sportsmanship, banner originality and anthems, among others.
A seven-man jury has also been set up to give their opinion and their vote as to who most deserves the award for best support. It consists of Dr Peter Fenech, MFA vice-president, Joe Micallef, general secretary Youth FA, Dominic Aquilina and Stephen Gatt, photo reporters, Tony Debono, ex-president of the National Team Supporters Club, Superintendent Carmelo Bartolo, from the Police Corps, and Sandro Micallef, chairman of the Malta Football Awards.
The winners of the award will be announced during the seventh edition of the Malta Football Awards which this year is being held on 6 June.
The voting will include 50 per cent from the jury and the other 50 per cent by the traditional SMS voting system on 50614914. Supporters will be able to vote up till 26 May.
Martin Agius, of General Soft Drinks Co Ltd, the mentors behind the award, said it was their intention to see initiatives being taken by the various groups of supporters clubs to offer better support at local football stadiums, especially at Ta’ Qali. He said it was a known fact that fans and their support was one of the pillars of the game of football and therefore it was obvious that there was a need for this to be well organised. “Also, support has to be loyal and friendly with sporting rivals,” he added.
Mr Agius announced that the winners will be selected on criteria such as (a) spontaneous outbursts of joy, (b) celebrations after a goal, (c) choreography and (d) friendly behaviour between supporters.
The first prize consists of a trophy and euros 2,500 worth of materials, the second prize will be euros 1,000 worth of materials and the third prize euros 500 worth of materials.
Italico Rota, general manager of the Corinthia Hotel, Attard, said the hotel was proud to be hosting such an event for the third year. “This is a very important event for us and Maltese football. I am sure we will provide everyone with a very nice evening,” he said, referring to the 6 June finals night.