Minister for Education, Works and the Family Dolores Cristina kicked off the 17th edition of the Mediterranean Cup, the annual youth football tournament organised by the San Gwann Youth Football Nursery with the support and collaboration of the San Gwann Local Council and the Mediterranean Bank. Other distinguished guests who attended the opening were Mr Leo Brincat MP, San Gwann Mayor Etienne Bonello Dupuis and Malta Football Association Chief Executive Officer Bjorn Vassallo.

This 10-day showcase of local youth football will see the participation of no fewer than 700 young footballers forming 43 teams and representing 19 local football nurseries who will be playing over 110 games, making the event the largest annual youth football activity on the Island.

The teams will make up six sections representing six age groups ranging from the Under 8s to the Under 13s. Regretfully, the international flavour now accustomed to this event had to be forfeited at the last moment when a team from Italy and another from Thailand, who were to participate in the Under 10 and under 12 sections respectively, had to withdraw, even after the draws had already been made. The organisers managed to replace these two teams locally.

The participating nurseries, apart from the hosts, are Pieta Hotspurs, Floriana, Hamrun Spartans, Tarxien Rainbows, Mqabba, Qormi, Sliema Wanderers, Dingli Swallows, Luxol St Andrews, Rabat Depiro, Pembroke Athleta, Birkirkara, Paola Hibs, St Patrick, Melita, Mosta, Kirkop United and Birzebbugia Windmills.

The tournament runs for the full 10 days till 26 April, with the exception of 22 April, being Good Friday.

A number of internationally recognised players have participated in the San Gwann annual tournament throughout its history, among whom are practically the entire Maltese national team squad, Alexander Kolarov, who plays for Manchester City, and Milos Ninkovic who is currently with Dynamo Kiev.