A very good turnout of premier club presidents, council members and technical coaches continued discussions with the MFA president, Norman Darmanin Demajo and some of his officials, regarding the national teams' scheme.

A cordial discussion was ongoing as the coaches voiced their thoughts about their respective playing schedules and that of the national team.

A continuation of last month's meeting resumed and the discussion focused mainly on the proposed training schedule at the Ta' Qali Technical Centre.

It was agreed that the national team players shall be at the full disposal of the clubs’ coaches from mid-November to almost mid-January. The U-21/ U-23 players will be at the disposal of the coach on Monday and Tuesday in preparation for the U-21 away friendly match against Cyprus and the U-23 home match against Romania. The U-19 and U-17 training schedules were also discussed as they too will be fully available for the clubs from mid-October till almost the end of December.

After those present agreed to the proposed schedule, Luca Pagani, national team physical trainer, presented guidelines regarding the physical preparation to the clubs' coaches. He explained that he is merely suggesting a course of physical training preparation but it is up to them to implement it.

He also encouraged all the clubs to utilise the 13 qualified participants of the first Football Physical Training Course which was completed recently.

Pagani also discussed the association’s future investment in further physical training courses such that a bigger pool of qualified persons will eventually prepare the youth sector in the foreseeable future.

Further to this the MFA president also emphasised the importance of physical fitness and mental preparation during the weekly team build-up and appealed to the clubs to start investing in this sense.

President Darmanin Demajo ensued with the third item on the agenda which concerned the clubs’ officials vis-a-vis their supporters’ code of conduct on match days.

An interesting debate followed, with everyone concerned pledging to help shoulder responsibility to control abusive behaviour of certain individuals who can ruin the atmosphere at the stadium.

Everyone agreed that technology should play an important part with the use of CCTVs highlighting the culprits to ensure a pleasant environment and a place where the fans support their teams in tranquillity.

MARK MUSCAT

Technical Centre and

national teams media officer