Pembroke Local Council in collaboration with St. Andrews FC will be organizing the 3rd Edition of the International Christmas Football Tournament between 26th and 30th December at the Luxol Stadium.
In this Tournament, which will be spread over five days, twenty-four teams from eleven Football Nurseries and foreign Football academies will participate, where around 435 players will be taking part in 44 matches of non-stop football.
This edition will be dedicated to players born after January 2001, 1999, and 1997 coming from the Nurseries of: Birkirkara, Hamrun Spartans, Melita, Paola Hibernians, Pietà Hotspurs, San Gwann, Sliema Wanderers, Valletta, St. Andrews and from two other Academies from Sicily, Agrigento with two Categories, 2001 and 1999 and Catania San Pio X with a 1999 Category. All matches will be controlled by MFA referees and the MFA Referees Academy.
This was announced on Monday by Mario De Battista, Administrator of St Andrew’s Youth Nursery, while addressing a Press Conference held at the Luxol Stadium. Present for the meeting was Mr Joe Zammit, Pembroke Local Council Mayor, Mr Alfred Mazitelli, Deputy Mayor and Councillor Evelyn Vella Brincat. Also present was Mr Joe Micallef, The YFA General Secretary.
De Battista said that this year’s Tournament will be emphasized on the importance of the joy of the game. He said that it is very important that we deliver joy and fun within these youngsters so that we see more football spectacle as they grow up. For this Edition, the Organizing Committee will be using the slogan: “Football is a game. Enjoy Playing This Beautiful Game”.
Mr Joe Zammit, thanked Luxol Sports Club for teaming up with Pembroke Local Council for this event and he is satisfied, on behalf of the Council, to take this initiative to help one of the eleven Sports Clubs and Associations which are in Pembroke. These Sports activities help a lot to keep Pembroke youths away from bad addictions. He augured all participants a pleasant Tournament played with Sports Spirit.
Mr Joe Micallef, Secretary to The Youth FA started by thanking the Pembroke Local Council for investing and sharing this Sports Education event with St Andrew’s. He said that as always, during these tournaments, St.Andrew’s Youth Nursery delivers messages with slogans and video clips which are focused on Respect. Mr Micallef said that it is very important that we all be aware of the recent referees’ anti-respect in the game of football and promotes this respect education, with the players and their parents. First and foremost, these tournaments and Festivals should serve to teach and educate apart from winning trophies. He ended up his speech by urging all participants to deliver a message of Fair Play with the parents.
While thanking the Pembroke Local Council for showing thrust in using the Luxol Sports Club facilities to organize this Edition of the St Andrew’s Christmas International Tournament and also the Youth and Grassroots Committee for their support, Mr De Battista went on to give the full details of the Tournament.
The program opens on Monday 26th December with a march pass at 08:30Hrs to the Luxol Stadium whereas after a symbolic initiation ceremony, the tournament kicks off at 09:00Hrs with the first match and ends on Sunday 30th December with the 1997 and 1999 Category Finals.
A scout from the academy of English Club Barnsley will be present during the Tournament.