The Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) have teamed up with Mediterranean Insurance Brokers (MIB) to create a medical insurance scheme for players.
Tailored to suit the needs of Malta-based players, the MFPA Medical Insurance Cover is intended not only for professional footballers but also amateurs and youths.
“This insurance scheme has been designed by the Maltese players for the Maltese players,” Tonio Borg, from MIB, told a news conference at the Grand Hotel Excelsior yesterday.
“We’ve gone into great detail to identify the needs of local players. The insurance covers surgery and rehabilitation from injuries sustained in MFA-sanctioned competitions.
“The treatment can be done in any clinic or hospital in Malta but the insurance also enables players to receive treatment overseas for up to €5,000.”
The annual fee for the MFPA medical insurance, which also offers benefits to players whose careers are cut short by injuries, has been set at €320.
Carlo Mamo, the general secretary of MFPA, said that, under their agreement with MIB and CitadelHealth, players who purchase the medical insurance cover in the next few weeks and months will not be obliged to provide information about their medical history.
“The launch of a medical insurance scheme for players was a top priority for the MFPA,” Mamo said. “We know many cases of players who have had to pay for all the expenses to cure football-related injuries.
“Thus, we felt the need to discuss this important issue with the Malta FA, clubs and players.”
Mamo said the MFPA have been heartened by the positive feedback from parents of young players about the medical insurance initiative.
“This insurance policy covers players during training, official matches and friendlies and there are no age restrictions,” Mamo said.
Anthony Galea, the president of the MFPA, is hopeful that the availability of an affordable medical insurance encourages local clubs to insure all their players via group packages.
Dr Galea declared himself pleased with the work carried out by the MFPA in its first year of operation, describing the association’s successful bid for recognition by the Malta FA as its top achievement.
“We now have around 250 members and an extensive network of international contacts,” Dr Galea said.
“In order to encourage more players to join the MFPA, we have also decided to waive the membership fee this year.”
At the end of yesterday’s news conference, Jonathan Caruana, the Malta and Valletta defender, was unveiled as the first winner of the MFPA player of the year award.
Caruana, who is also a contender for the MFA footballer of the year award, received the trophy from Konrad Sultana, the public relations officer of the MFPA.
The award was voted for by representatives of Premier League and Division One clubs. Valletta midfielder William Barbosa and Mosta forward Obinna Obiefule, who started last season with Marsaxlokk, classified second and third respectively.
It was also announced yesterday that the MFPA’s first annual general meeting will be held on July 7.