Valletta, Birkirkara and Hibernians will be joining a Gozo selection to take part in the first edition of a tournament for the Gozo Cup.

Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said said yesterday that it is hoped this will become an annual tournament to be held at this time of the year to attract more internal tourism to the sister island.

The tournament is to be held next week with matches on Friday 19 February. At 6pm Gozo XI face Hibs and this will be followed by the Valletta-Birkirkara clash at 8pm. If a match ends in a draw, no extra time will be given, but the match goes directly to the taking of penalty kicks.

Dr Said also announced that Gozo Channel will be offering attractive prices for those fans going to Gozo to watch the matches. He said the three Maltese clubs had been selected because they do not have any commitments on the day of the tournament while they also attracted the largest crowds in Malta.

Dr Said also said that in future, it is hoped that a horse-racing activity could also be organised at the Ta' Xhajma course.