Valletta FC have been awarded a 15,000 square metre piece of land in Ħal Farruġ where they could build a stadium. This was announced during the signing of an agreement between the club and the government on Friday.
The government, through SportMalta, has transferred the unused land in the Ħal Farruġ industrial area to be developed into a football ground through a 45-year temporary emphyteusis. SportMalta also passed on the title of the Salinos Grounds, of around 6,050 square metres, to the club on the same terms. This was done after a unanimous vote within the Auditing Committee.
President Victor Sciriha said that he was delighted that after several years during which the club was forced to fork out thousands of euro to hire football grounds from other clubs in order to be able to have adequate training facilities for the first time, Valletta FC have finally managed to secure a piece of land which will help them to realise their dream of having their own facilities.
Sciriha said that for the past ten years, the club had been in constant talks with the government over this project and he was grateful to those who have finally answered their pleas.
He added that he is hopeful that the club will continue to receive assistance from the authorities to clean up the area so as the project can finally get under way.
Parliamentary Secretary Clifton Grima said this agreement shows the government’s commitment to continue to deliver on its electoral promise to support clubs and sports federations to help them to grow.
“When you have clubs and sports associations that are strong and stable, they leave wealth in Maltese society, wealth in our children. We are seeing that another part of the south of Malta that was deserted today will be able to be developed. Thanks to this transfer, Valletta FC will have a football pitch as they deserve to train their players. This is part of a series of initiatives that the government will be taking to see Maltese clubs reach their potential and continue to contribute to the Maltese economy “, said Parliamentary Secretary Clifton Grima.
SportMalta Chairman Luciano Busuttil said he was glad that after a long process the club will have the opportunity to develop a sports center. It was the same club that approached SportMalta, complaining that the land that had been given to them in Ħal Farruġ was not suitable for the needs of a big club like Valletta FC.
“With this transfer, we will hit two birds with one stone, as the land that was abandoned, will be cleaned and will become a sports centre of the highest quality.”
In fact, in 2011, Valletta FC had been awarded another piece of land in Ħal-Farruġ but the club’s plans of building a complex, and not only a stadium, were rejected by the Planning Authority.