SILVIO VELLA

The quite voluminous annual administrative report highlighted yet another hard working year for the MFA during season 2008/2009.

This was unanimously approved by all members at Saturday’s AGM.

On the domestic front, the MFA organised 15 competitions, which started with the Euro Challenge Cup at the start of the 2008/2009 season and ended in the last week of May, worked hard on policies regarding the licensing of its member clubs and Football Nurseries as well as training for the development of coaches, referees and club administrators through various courses, some of which even conducted by UEFA and FIFA instructors.

The MFA took an active part in the UEFA Programme, introduced during the 2008/2009 season, for coaches’ exchange visits. Some 30 Maltese coaches attended seminars in Wales, Belgium and UK about coaching education, elite youth development and grassroots football.

During last year, the weekly TV programme MFA Magazine was again aired regularly on Smash TV. No less than 35 Premier League matches were viewed live on Melita Television, while other recorded matches, highlights and football discussion programmes were aired on other popular television stations.

MFA officials paid regular visits to several member clubs to discuss their needs and hear suggestions about the local game in general. The project for UEFA Jubilee Mini-Pitches was almost concluded by the Association and it also started paying out funds for all clubs who have completed works on the enhancement of their sport facilities. On the international scene, the MFA took part in various congresses, meetings and seminars, among which the annual FIFA and UEFA congresses.

Association members, members of the MFA Referees Board and several referees gave sterling service in various international matches organised by FIFA and UEFA. All these activities were possible through the hard work and co operation of the various boards, commisions and committees within the Association, as well as many other persons, like the MFA employees, sponsors, volunteers and the media.

The way forward

Despite the enormous success and esteem the association enjoys in the sports sector, the MFA cannot rest on its laurels. In fact it holds various plans for the near future to enhance its status for the good of the local game. One very ambitious project being undertaken by the MFA is the building of the National Grassroots Centre for the needs of the Youth national teams, the Women’s national and U/17 teams as well as Futsal.

This would consist in the construction of a partly-covered stand, holding some 1200 spectators, at the MFA Training Grounds. Below, dressing rooms, showers and toilets will be installed. Upgrading of artificial floodlighting system is also required.

When completed, the entire project is estimated to cost nearly EUR1.2 million, part of which will be financed by UEFA under the UEFA Hat Trick Assistance Programme.

The Ta’ Qali technical centre, with its various complexes, remains the jewel in the crown, with the National Stadium the venue for domestic and international matches. The grass surface remains in top condition despite the high number of matches (about 120) played each season.

However, according to Mr Souter, the Scottish expert of natural grass, who concluded a commissioned report recently, the pitch needs some extraordinary maintenance that cannot be made with the equipment presently owned by the MFA. Moreover, large quantities of sand need be imported from Italy and this, together with the purchase of new machinery, would cost about EUR100,000.

Since this expense was not included on time for the 2009/2010 Budget, the MFA has to look for means to allocate funds for this project.

The construction of new ticket-booths in West Stand C is due for completion by the start of next month and other works, such as the embellishment of the dressing rooms and VIP area, the Millenium Stand façade as well as repairs of the main road leading to the MFA Training Grounds, are well on schedule and should be ready before the start of the new football season.

There are plans for the upgrading of media facilities, especially the old boxes to be extended and space enlarged, with a relaxation/working area being made available for journalists, as well as the installation of a new CCTV system to increase security in the stands, turnstiles and parking areas at Ta’ Qali National stadium.

The MFA has already earmarked the premises at the Centenary Hall to set up a well equipped clinic for medical tests to be conducted to players to ensure that they are fully fit to pracrise the sport.

The funds for the above projects are being granted by UEFA, and the MFA is one of the first six national associations to benefit from the UEFA project Win in Europe, having been allocated EUR447,000. Next year, the Maltese League will be celebrating its 100 years of organisation.

The MFA will also be celebrating 50 years of membership with FIFA and UEFA and among the many activities, a one-time competition for the National League 100 anniversary Cup will be played among all its member clubs.

Concern about drop in attendances

Although the BOV Premier League registered the major increase in attendances during last season (more than 31,000 spectators), attendances dropped for the BOV First Division League, BOV Second Division League, U*BET FA Trophy matches and the quick-keno Div II/III Knock-Out competitions.

In its report, the MFA emphasized the need to work harder to encourage spectators attend local football matches to make up for the fixed overhead expenses required to organize these competitions, including the high police fees for security.

The increase in water and electricity rates has become a burden for the Association. Income from attendances in the BOV Premier League during last season amounted to EUR482,481, an increase of about EUR110,000 from the previous season.

The MFA paid a total of almost EUR74, 000 in VAT as well as EUR102,000 to the Police Corps. Other expenses included the printing of tickets, remuneration to employees as well security and floodlighting during matches.

Healthy finances

Despite the difficult global financial times, the MFA remains in a strong financial position, recording a net surplus of almost EUR381,000 for 2008/2009. A total income of more than EUR5 million exceeded the global expenditure outlay of EUR4.70 million.

The MFA’s Balance Sheet shows a healthy accumulated fund carried forward of EUR4 million. Nothwithstanding, the association made an unrealised loss on exchange when converting its present loan with a Swiss Bank from Franc to Euro currency last November.

There was a decrease in income from the National team due to less international matches played last season, less attractive matches and therefore fewer attendances. But expenditure was also down due to less travelling, accommodation, training allowances and players’ bonuses. Gate money increased slightly but advertising income fell drastically from last year.

The MFA benefited though from broadcasting rights for live transmissions of local matches, from sponsorship agreements with kit suppliers Diadora and Swiss Company Infront AG for television rights and advertising finances for the National Senior team matches played in Malta. Grants from FIFA and UEFA were also forthcoming, a large chunk of which, the MFA intends to keep aside for a new insurance fund.