Third edition of Gowl g?all-Istrina launched

The third edition of Gowl g?all-Istrina was launched on Friday during a press conference at the Centenary Stadium. The triangular tournament between local Premier League players, foreign Premier League players and First Division players will be held on Monday 26th December at the National Stadium.

MFA vice-president Alex Manfrè, who is also acting as chairman of the organising committee, said the event is being organised jointly by the Malta Football Association, Net TV and One Productions in order to raise funds for l-Istrina. Manfrè said the association was planning to organise an activity to mark the 30th anniversary since when football was first played at the National Stadium.

Thirty football personalities will be honoured by the Malta Football Association and an All-Stars triangular tournament with the participation of top local and foreign players from the BOV Premier and First Division leagues will follow.

GOWL G?ALL-ISTRINA, a brainchild of NET REPLAY executive producer, ?or? Micallef, will be held on Monday 26th December, 2011 at the National Stadium, Ta’ Qali. All proceeds from this event will go towards the annual fund-raising fixture, L-iStrina. His Excellency, the President of the Republic and patron of the Malta Football Association, Dr George Abela, will be attending to meet all the participants and recipients of the honours.

Micallef explained that a few weeks ago, MFA CEO Bjorn Vassallo approached him, expressing his wish that the association would join in the organisation of the event. He said the two met last month to put together their ideas and agreed on a triangular tournament featuring the best elements of the local game. He approached One Productions, inviting them to join the organisation.

The organising committee, chaired by MFA Vice-President Alex Manfrè, includes representatives from the Malta Football Association, the Youth FA and the two weekly football shows on NET TV and ONE TV, REPLAY and L-ARGUMENT. The event, kicking off at 16:15, will bring together most partners involved in local football and at the same time help raise much-needed money in aid of L-iStrina. Top local singers will be entertaining the crowd present prior to the All Stars tournament.

What makes this annual fixture even more special is the fact that all twenty four Premier and First Division League clubs will raise money themselves.

All Premier League clubs will forfeit €500 from income through gate money to raise the coffers of GOWL G?ALL-ISTRINA while First Division clubs will donate €250 each. Furthermore, squad players and coaches from all clubs will each donate a minimum sum of €10. Team captains will present their donations before the start of the triangular tournament.

Clinton Buhagiar, on behalf of l-Argument, announced that clubs will also offer a signed team shirt which will be auctioned during the 18th December edition of both L-Argument and Replay programmes.

All proceeds from this auction will also go towards this cause. Youth Nurseries are also encouraged to make their own contribution.

Entrance tickets for this unique event will be €2 for adults and €1 for children under 12. The organisers hope that commercial entities will also play a key role in order to maximise the sum collected.

Also present for the press conference were MFA media officer Mark Attard, Major Mark Mallia from the Office of the President, Josef Fitzpatrick from Net TV and Jason Micallef from One Productions.

Photo: Copyright © domenic aquilina