ASA president Joe Caruana Curran yesterday said the association was hopeful that the Winter League will go ahead as scheduled despite the current serious problems with COVID19.
He made this announcement yesterday during a news conference during which the draws for the first day's programme were made.
Defending champions Neptunes Leo Vegas were drawn to meet Sirens Greentube, while San Giljan TUM Invest are to face Exiles in the opening clash. The other match is M'Xlokk-Sliema.
The draws for the two divisions resulted as follows:
Premier Division
7 April S. Giljan-Exiles
8 April M'Xlokk-Sliema; Sirens-Neptunes
First Division
7 April Otters-B'buga
8 April Valletta-Ta' Xbiex
The Leagues are scheduled to come to an end on 9 May when the finals for both divisions are to be played.
Serious situation
Caruana Curran explained that the situation across Europe is very serious and even activities in Malta have now been affected.
He added: "However, the ASA is hopeful that the programme will go ahead as scheduled. In the Winter Leagues, we will certainly not have more than a 2,000 open air crowd, as directed by the new government instructions. We believe we should have no problems in this context.
"We are already in the process of organising the Enemed Cup competition, but it is evident that we cannot guarantee that it will be the same thing with the Winter League as the situation which prevails now.
"We will keep everyone, including the clubs and the media, of any decision to be taken in future with regard to the competition. Our first consideration will always be everyone's health and that includes the administration, our clubs, their players and the fans."
Caruana Curran also stated that players who play in Italy like Stevie Camilleri and Matthew Zammit are at present undergoing self quarantine. The Italian league is suspended, at least until 3 April, and if that date is extended and nothing happens here, they would be able to play in the local Winter League.
But Caruana Curran insisted that there will be no change in the schedule of the Leagues, whatever happens.
He went on to say that COVID19 was the reason behind many postponements and cancellations of tournaments and competitions around Europe. "We already know that among the victims are the European Champions League matches, the women's European League quarterfinals, the European Under 19 groups between 1 and 5 April, one of which was to be staged in Malta, and the European Swimming Championships which were to be held in Budapest. These will now be possibly rescheduled for May.
"We are also awaiting instructions from LEN in connexion with our participation with a group of 66 swimmers in a meeting in Luxembourg next week. So far, this event has not been cancelled. The squad is to travel to Luxembourg via Brussels," he added.
Anthony Scicluna, representing the ASA's main sponsor, the Bank of Valletta, said he was also concerned with the situation at present in Europe, including Malta. But added that he was also hopeful that the competition will not be affected as it will be an open air event.
He added: "We are proud to be supporting the ASA once again and hope that this league will serve as a good preamble in preparation for the summer league."