Although applicationsfor participation close today at 8pm for the Malta Grand Prix and International Open valid for the world rankings of the FISTF, the international body of table football, the participation of foreign players - 50 per cent – is confirmed. Both competitions are to be organised by the local association of table football, the MTFSA.
These two competitions, apart from being valid for the world rankings are a high attraction as April is considered the last month when players can gather points in order to reach the top places thus guaranteeing participation in the world cup, to be held later on during the year.
The competition is being staged at the Victoria Hotel in Sliema - an excellent location which caters well for high profile competitions such as these.
Players from Greece, Italy, Germany and England has been confirmed and this augurs well for the success of both events.
On Saturday, 2April, apart from the International Open for individuals in the afternoon there will be the much awaited teams competition. The 2010 edition winners, CCT Roma (Italy) are not participating but two components of that team, Mark Gauci and Derek Conti can defend their title with TFC Atlas after their registration last summer with the Greek team. Apart from Atlas, two more teams will be coming over namely Pireaus Lions with whom Angelo Borg is registered and the Falcons Athens with whom Joseph Borg Bonaci played for these last years.
From Italy, the confirmed teams are four. Fiamme Azzurre from Rome, Italy registered both their first team and reserves team. With the Italian side there are also three Maltese players namely Joseph Mifsud, Hansel Mallia and Steve Austin.
Apart from the Rome side, F.lli Bari Reggio Emilia winners of last edition of the Champions League with their Maltese player Massimo Cremona will be aiming to win this tournament. Two more teams will be participating from Italy. Cagliari from Sardegna will take on their first adventure in Malta while Lazio with their Maltese players Patrick Pace and Silvio Catania will also have their say in the competition.
There will be three Maltese clubs for the teams event. Bormla SC, runners up of the national championship last year will be Maltese favourites. Along the Cospicua boys, both Attard and Valletta have confirmed their participation. For sure, everyone’s attention will be on the draws tomorrow when one can see whether the so called big teams are going to be drawn in the same groups.
In the individual competitions, one has to highlight that more than 20 participants are going to take part in the Veterans Category. The Maltese player Joseph Mifsud, ranked in the first 10 of the world is the preferred possibile winner, but opponents from Italy, Greece and Germany could prove be tough for Mifsud. The latter is the winner of the GP Veterans edition of 2010 and finalist of the GP International Open Veterans finalist.
All those who wish to participate can register either from the MTFSA website or by sending an email to [email protected]. The competitions will be open to the public and entrance is free. The competitions will be held between 9am and 6pm on both days.
For the opening ceremony, the MTFSA has invited the President of the Malta Football Association Norman Darmanin Demajo. Michael Briguglio, Chairperson for Alternattiva Demokratika, and DJ Carlo Borg Bonaci will be official guests as old boys of the Malta Table Football Sports Association.