Five clubs from Sliema, Gzira and Msida have received a very encouraging sponsorship from the firm Robert Arrigo & Sons, owned by the former Sliema W. president Robert Arrigo MP.
The five beneficiaries are Sliema Wanderers (football club and basketball club), Gzira United (football) and Gzira bocci club and the Msida bocci club.
Addressing the press yesterday afternoon, Arrigo said that despite leaving the helm of Sliema Wanderers before the end of last season after 12 most successful years, he felt he still wanted to remain connected with local sport, in some way or another.
He added that his company had become interested in these sponsorships after the great enthusiasm shown by everyone connected with the clubs involved.
He added that he wanted to maintain his presence in local sport. No amounts were mentioned but the sponsorship obviously runs into several thousands of euros with Sliema Wanderers also claiming it was the biggest ever sponsorship for a Maltese football club.
Arrigo also said that Sliema Wanderers FC will shortly be launching a book which will cover Sliema’s 100 years of history. The editor is journalist Albert Callus and the launch is expected to be made close to the Christmas festivities.
The former Sliema president made it clear that when the new Tigne complex is handed to Sliema Wanderers next September, it will probably incorporate all Sliema segments in sport, including football, basketball and others, including volleyball and the ladies football team, not to mention the Sliema W. nursery. “It is our scope to see all Sliema clubs working under one umbrella,” said Arrigo.
All representatives of the clubs concerned thanked Arrigo for the sponsorship.
Steve Abela, Sliema W. president, said that this would help the club to remain competitive. He also said: “Thanks to this financial and moral backing, we consider Mr Arrigo as the biggest supporter of the club. I just hope other companies will follow his example to help other local sport entities.”
Tyrone Demanuele, Gzira United FC president, with whom Arrigo started his administrative career in local sport, helping them win the league and promotion to the Premier Division, said the Maroons had been approached by the sponsor himself and they had accepted his offer enthusiastically. “Thanks to such financial help, we have been able to strengthen our team considerably and we hope to earn promotion from the Third Division this season,” he added.
Ronald Naudi, Basketball club vice-president, said his club was able to strengthen its ranks this year with the arrival of French player Julien van de Sera, as well as locals Julian Naudi, David Camilleri, Adison Bonnici and Chris Sammut. He said this was the club’s third year of this sponsorship and hoped it would be extended in future.
Paul Cini, treasurer of Msida Bocci Club, and Joe Camilleri, of Gzira Bocci Club, also claimed that this was one of the best sponsorships ever received by the two respective clubs.
While Msida said they were one of the strongest teams in their discipline on the island and will be aiming to reach the top soon, Camilleri linked with Demanuele to say that Arrigo was filling the big void left by former Gzira mayor Albert Rizzo, who passed away earlier this year. Rizzo had been a big sponsor of both Gzira clubs.