The Hamrun Nursery together with the Hamrun Local Council has once again organised the Tony Bajada Memorial during the Easter holidays. The twelfth edition proved to be another success for the nursery with a good number of teams and over 300 boys and girls participating in the event.

The tournament which was held at the Victor Tedesco Stadium was sponsored by Cochlear, Colgate and Gatorade. Participation was open for the 2007, 2003, 2001 and 1999 categories.

The 1999 category included the participation of two teams from Athlone ADSL of Ireland – Athlone Scholars and Athlone Saints. The first phase of the tournament consisted of two groups of five teams each with the first two teams proceeding to the semifinals. In the first group, Pieta and Paola Hibs placed first and second respectively whilst, in the second group, it was Athlone Scholars and Mosta to proceed to the semifinals. In the first semifinal, Mosta beat Pieta whilst Hibs won against Athlone after a penalty shootout in the second semifinal.

The final between Mosta and Paola Hibs was a tense and balanced match which ended 1-1. Paola Hibs claimed the prestigious Tony Bajada Challenge Cup following a penalty shoot-out. Paola Hibs also won the Top-Scoring Award whilst Athlone Scholars won the Fair Play Award in the 1999 category. Hamrun Mayor Mr Vince Bonello and Youth FA representative Mr Francis Zammit attended the final.

Pieta, Naxxar and Hamrun Spartans won the 2001, 2003 and 2007 Fair Play Awards respectively. No winners were declared in these three categories in accordance with Youth FA guidelines. Mementos and products from the tournament sponsors were instead presented to all the participants.

During the trophy presentation, Hamrun nursery secretary Noel Debattista thanked all the participating teams, the Bajada family, Hamrun Spartans FC Executive Committee, Hamrun Sports Complex plc, The Youth FA, the Amateur, Youth and Grassroots Committee and the sponsors of the event for their support.

The mayor of Hamrun, Mr Vince Bonello presented the trophies, medals and mementos to the participants.

As part of the events held in remembrance of Tony Bajada (the Hamrun Nursery founder), the Hamrun Nursery is now also organising a number of friendlies against two English teams. These friendlies will involve the Under 17, the Under 14, the Under 13 and the Under 12 categories.

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