Banif Bank has reached agreement with the Malta Football Association to sponsor the forthcoming Malta-Portugal World Cup qualifier in September.
Banif is a bank with Maltese and Portuguese shareholding and started operating in Malta the past year. Its headquarters are based in the island of Madeira, where Malta had significantly drawn 2-2 with Portugal in a European Championship qualifier way back in March 1987.
In announcing the sponsorship, Dr Joseph Mifsud, MFA president, said the season here has just ended with regard to the major competitions and the players are now having a deserved rest.
But it will soon be back to business as the clubs first start preparing for their participation in the European club competitions. After the Estonia friendly in August, Malta will then play its first qualifier against Portugal in September.
Dr Mifsud said the MFA was happy to associate its national team with Banif Bank. "This substantial sponsorship will enable us to undertake several projects in connection with the match.
"And as to the Group we have been drawn in, I can say it will be very difficult for us having to face teams like Sweden, Portugal (finalists in this European Championship), Denmark, Albania and Hungary.
"Despite everything, we will still be doing our best to obtain points as we did in the last qualifying stages of the European Championship. And we also hope that the first point or points will arrive in the match against Portugal," said Dr Mifsud.
Also attending yesterday's conference was Mr Joseph Sammut, a former top Civil Servant and former Ombudsman, now occupying the post of Chairman of Banif Bank.
He said the Bank is committed to support the local community in cultural, environmental and sporting events such as the Malta-Portugal clash. "The Bank is proud to be supporting the MFA in organising the event which is a great opportunity to emphasise the Bank's commitment towards the strengthening of the relationship between the two countries," he said.
Banif Bank is certain that the Portuguese players will be given a warm welcome here. "They might be visiting this island as European champions. And with so many top class players among their ranks, including Manchester United's Ronaldo, Chelsea's Carvalho, Barcelona's Deco and Inter's Maniche, then this offers a good opportunity for all local football fans to watch such players in action on local soil," said Mr Sammut.
Dr Mifsud also announced yesterday that the MFA was working on three projects at present to further upgrade the Ta' Qali national stadium.
These are the changing of all the seats at the North and South stands, the covering of the track with the artificial turf surface used in the past at the Centenary Stadium, and the refurbishment of the dressing rooms. "These projects should make the stadium look much better than it used to," said Dr Mifsud.
Also attending yesterday's conference were Mr. N. Martins and Mr Charles Mizzi, on behalf of the Bank, and Dr Peter Fenech, MFA vice president, and Mr Ivan Vella, national team manager.