Futsal Malta Association's season kicks-off with Super Cup

Competitions organised by the Futsal Malta Association will kick-off on Monday 3rd September with the Futsal Super Cup between Balzan and Lija Athletic at the Corradino Sports Pavilion, kick-off at 19:30.

Details about the Futsal Malta Association which was set-up last year and the competitions it will be organising as from this season were given during a press conference at the Centenary Hall, Ta’ Qali on Wednesday.

FMA President Donald Spiteri said this was a historic day for the association as this will be the first competition organised by the FMA. He said that the association has been working for a year-and-a-half and six months ago, the FMA was unanimously approved as a member association within the Malta Football Association.

Spiteri said the association is working hand with forty clubs – forty member clubs within the Malta Football Association. In fact, the FMA is now the second largest association on the Maltese islands in terms of member clubs.

He said that the first task was a complete change in the game’s administration and the administration of the FMA aimed at doing this without leaving any repercussions. Spiteri said he was glad that clubs appreciated this and worked hand in hand with the association.

As regards facilities, the FMA president said that the Corradino Sports Pavilion was given a face-lift and at the end of the coming season, more works are planned. He thanked the MFA, and in particular CEO Bjorn Vassallo, for the financial support. He said the FMA will continue to work closely with the MFA.

Donald Spiteri said the association is now working on branding and marketing together with the set-up of a website under the supervision of secretary Alex Falzon; vice-president Perit Mark Borg worked on the new statute and regulations; treasurer Vanessa Darmanin is working on securing sponsors for the association while national Futsal coach Kevin Mifsud is supporting the association in several ways.

Spiteri said that with the kick-off of the new season, the association’s second phase was kicking-off as well. He said that too much time was wasted in Futsal when in the mean time, other countries improved considerably. Investment in the game was of utmost importance. He said the association had to work hard to attract players over the age of nineteen to the game and the FMA plans to set-up an Under-21 League in three-years time. He said that by investing in younger players, the national team could improve.

Photos: Copyright © Joe Borg

Finding a new venue was also of utmost importance although for the first time all Futsal matches will be played indoors as from this season.

The FMA president finally hoped that next Monday’s Futsal Super Cup will be an entertaining clash.

FMA vice-president Perit Mark Borg went on to highlight the main achievements of the Association, namely the organizational structure established by the newly approved Statute, giving power back to the club council members, as well as the amendments to the Competition Regulations, which includes innovative rules such as the increasing the limit on player registrations, amalgamation with member clubs, utilization of member club professional players, no limit on registration of foreigners (maximum three players on official line ups) and the adoption of home-grown player concept.

Perit Borg, emphasized that the major milestone is however the acceptance by MFA that all amateur players are free to play with any club of their choice.

General Secretary Alex Falzon, General Secretary, gave final details regarding FMA’s first Super Cup Final before proceeding to the draws of the Futsal Knock-Out.

The draws were as follows:

Preliminary Round
07-Sep Zejtun Corinthians F.C. vs Vittoriosa Stars F.C.

First Round
13-Sep Zejtun/Vittoriosa vs Balzan F.C.
13-Sep Lija Athletic F.C. vs Marsa F.C.
14-Sep Pembroke Athleta F.C. vs B’Bugia St Peters F.C.
14-Sep Hamrun Spartans F.C. vs Sirens F.C.
15-Sep Mqabba F.C. vs San Gwann F.C.
15-Sep Mosta F.C. vs Qrendi F.C.
15-Sep Hibernians F.C. vs Zurrieq F.C.
16-Sep Swieqi United F.C. vs St Andrews F.C.
16-Sep Tarxien Rainbows F.C. vs Ta’ Xbiex S.C.
16-Sep Mdina Knights F.C. vs Msida St Joseph F.C.

Second Round
18-Sep Melita F.C. vs Zejtun/Vittoriosa/Balzan
18-Sep Valletta F.C. vs Lija/Marsa
20-Sep Sliema Wanderers F.C. vs Pembroke/Birzebbuga
20-Sep Gharghur F.C. vs Hamrun/Sirens
29-Sep Floriana F.C. vs Mqabba/San Gwann
29-Sep Qormi F.C. vs Mosta/Qrendi
30-Sep Hibs/Zurrieq vs Swieqi/St.Andrews
30-Sep Tarxien/Ta’ Xbiex vs Mdina/Msida