During its third Ordinary General Assembly of 2025, the Malta FA highlighted the unstinting investment in member clubs and associations, while also reflecting on the milestone events that marked the Association’s on-going 125th anniversary celebrations.
The event took place at Centenary Hall, Ta’ Qali, on Thursday 16th October, 2025.
UEFA Senior HatTrick Manager Valentina Mercolli and FIFA Member Associations Coordinator Marco Ferri were present for the General Assembly, as well as Maltese Olympic Committee General Secretary Kevin Azzopardi.
Speaking during the event, Ms Mercolli highlighted the extensive calendar of events held throughout the year, particularly the opening of the National Football Centre, describing it as a state-of-the-art facility, together with the UEFA Stewards Training Course that took place in the same week. She remarked that football in Malta has grown steadily thanks to the Malta FA’s investment, always with the aim of making the sport more accessible.
Mr Ferri underlined the smooth relationship between the Malta FA and FIFA over the years. He also looked back on the milestone year that the Association celebrated, which included the opening of the first FIFA Arena pitch in Malta at Maria Regina College Primary at St Paul’s Bay last month.
DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS AND ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
During the General Assembly, Malta FA Senior Vice President Dr Matthew Paris provided an explanation regarding the the funds that will be distributed among the different leagues and associations.
The Malta FA’s funding programme caters for different categories of the Maltese football family, namely the Premier League, Challenge League, Amateur Leagues, Women’s Leagues, Futsal and Beach Soccer Leagues, and Member Associations.
In addition to this, the respective member clubs and associations are already benefiting from support to install new floodlighting systems, enhanced promotion and media coverage, the resurfacing of the Centenary Stadium pitch, which was completed a few months ago, season ticket schemes, and other key incentives.
These benefits had been discussed with clubs and associations during meetings earlier this year.
Earlier this week, the Malta FA also announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bank of Valletta plc (BOV) over the naming rights of eight Member Associations’ competitions.
Dr Paris remarked that the Malta FA has invested heavily in its member clubs and associations, and will continue to do so, highlighting their importance as stakeholders in Maltese football.
Malta FA President Bjorn Vassallo stated that through the Association’s new strategy, the Malta FA will continue to reach its objectives for the best interests of the game, its members, and those who follow it.
It was also announced that an agreement in principle has been reached for the solidarity payments that were distributed to youths and nurseries and were lost apart from those to Premier League clubs, will continue to be distributed after the Malta FA worked on an agreement that will be finalised by the end of the year. This agreement will see these funds also be distributed for the coming three years.
REFLECTION ON 125TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS
Speaking during the General Assembly, Malta FA President Bjorn Vassallo reflected on the calendar of events that were held so far this year as part of the Association’s 125th anniversary.
The events organised throughout this milestone year were designed to engage the wider community and celebrate the anniversary. These included the inauguration of the National Football Centre at the Association’s Training Grounds in Ta’ Qali, Street Football in the City events, school visits by National Team players, the launch of a limited-edition national teams’ kit, and the Malta FA Jubilee Cup
As was announced back in March, the activities focused on the key themes of social responsibility and inclusion, with the Malta FA utilising football to continue fostering unity. Inclusion was at the heart of the pre-match activities for children before last week’s FIFA World Cup qualifier between Malta and the Netherlands at the National Stadium.
All these events will culminate on 8th December 2025, when the finals of both the men’s and women’s editions of the Malta FA Jubilee Cup, supported by Enemed, will be held.
“This year has been characterised by the 125th Anniversary from the founding of the Association, an important event for the Malta FA that we celebrated in the best way possible. And there are other events coming,” President Vassallo said.