by The second General Assembly held by the MFA highlighted the progress during the past year, including on the implementation of the Strategy ‘We Can Perform Better’. The Executive Board for the upcoming season was formalised, while restructuring of promotion and relegation spots in the National Amateur League was also on the agenda. President Bjorn Vassallo addressed the importance of sustainability and collective goals, while presenting an update on a draft relating to the corporate restructuring of clubs and communications arising from the Executive Board meetings.
Executive Board Formalised & Decision On NAL Restructuring
The Malta Football Association (MFA) held the second General Assembly for 2024 on Friday evening. The meeting formalised the composition of the Executive Board for the upcoming 2024/25 season, while providing a picture of the achievements throughout the 2023/24 season, as well as providing the outlook for the next cycle.
The Executive Board is comprised of the MFA’s top officials, including the President Bjorn Vassallo, as well as the three Vice Presidents Dr Matthew Paris, Dr Maria Azzopardi and Adrian Casha, all elected last March. Joining them are also General Secretary Dr Angelo Chetcuti and Treasurer Ivan Mizzi, as well as members nominated by respective Associations or Standing Committees that form part of the administrative hierarchy of the MFA.
In fact, besides changes in the higher official posts due to election results, the member associations and standing committees have nominated seven new members. The representative for women’s football will be Graziella Lovegrove, while Mauro Camilleri Darmanin will represent Futsal & Beach Soccer. Additionally, the Premier League will be represented by two new members in George Galea and Keith Perry, while three members representing the Challenge League will be new, in Ayrton Bonnici, Dino Bonnici and Mark Tanti.
A key decision was taken during the Assembly to spread the transition to the new composition of the National Amateur League, over two seasons. The National Amateur League is comprised of two tiers NAL1 and NAL2. The decision taken will mean that the NAL will transition to have two promotion and two relegation spots by the 2026/27 season, as presented by a counter-motion from Vice President Dr Matthew Paris. The counter-motion extended the initial proposal tabled by NAL clubs by a year.
Update On Achievements In The 2023/24 Season & Strategy Implementation
The MFA strategy ‘We Can Perform Better’, which dominated the election campaign, has reached its final year. Dr Angelo Chetcuti noted that more than 90% of the objectives have been reached, as broken down in the graphic below.
An update was provided on the largest infrastructural project, the National Football Centre at the MFA Training Grounds, which was noted to be in its construction stages. The costs reaching 12 million Euro, are partially funded by the National Development and Social Wealth Fund (NSDF). The National Football Centre is expected to provide National Teams with professional-level facilities and a stadium.
Also highlighted were the resurfacing projects of eight pitches which were carried out in the past year. Upcoming resurfacing projects will be at the Victor Tedesco Stadium (Hamrun) and the pitch of Gharghur FC.
Among the highlighted sporting achievements, the 2023/24 season brought success on an international level for the Malta Women’s National Team in the form of promotion to League B in the UEFA Women’s Nations League, while the Malta Men’s National Futsal Team also succeeded in advancing to the main round of the UEFA Futsal European Championship.
Dr Angelo Chetcuti underscored these achievements as steps toward consolidated growth in these sectors, while noting the finalisation of two Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) governing the technical and sporting conditions for both teams on the back of these successes.
Also highlighted were the efforts in relation to grassroots and social responsibility as co-ordinated by the ‘Inhobb il-Futbol Foundation’ (IFF), including the ‘Regional Hubs’ initiatives, as well as the organisation of school events and football festivals.
The full administrative report detailing the 2023/24 season may be read online here.
Outlook: Focus On Sustainability & Improved Communication
In his address, MFA President Bjorn Vassallo advised that a final draft relating to the Corporate Restructuring of Clubs was presented to Government and Opposition. He noted that this is expected to be approved once the Parliament goes in session following the summer break.
Additionally, Vassallo advised that an analysis of the propositions to be presented to members of the MFA is being carried out and that the next task of the Executive Board will be to discuss various schemes to be proposed to members. The Challenge League and National Amateur League Standing Committees are expected to meet to address the start of their campaigns.
Vassallo also remarked, that moving forward, excerpts of key themes discussed and key decisions taken during Executive Board sessions will be provided to members, in effort to improve communication of points discussed to the wider members. This means that despite members having others represent them in the Executive Board, there would still be visibility of key decisions and discussions held at the Board.
President Bjorn Vassallo underscored the importance of sustainability and collective effort in future decisions, “There’s no doubt that in order to stay competitive we must not only look for what is comfortable, but also what is balanced so that we stay attractive and the interest does not drop. There have been times where too many have looked to protect their own personal position, rather than the collective interest. We must always prioritise collective interest because this ensures an Association that is transparent and democratic, stable and strong, competitive and sustainable. This enables us to safeguard the interest of our members. You as members should have the same approach with your own members.”
Vassallo also warned against personal agendas, “There have bee too many times when issues are no longer logical, but become personal agendas. I will not accept this and hope that you do the same in your internal structures. There should be respect between all of us on a personal level but also we must work within the regulations that guide us.”
He finished by saying, “It’s good to compete and that we are good sports competitors. However, it is important that we keep in mind our collective plans so that we always push forward football development and improve our results.”
Lead Image: Domenic Aquilina / Malta FA
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