Lazio's Pulici says supporters clubs foster sport education

High-ranking Lazio official Felice Pulici, Malta FA president Joe Mifsud and Hamrun Spartans striker Stefan Sultana were among those present for the official inauguration of the Lazio Supporters Club (Malta) in Paola yesterday.

Founded by current club president Edward Psaila, in March 2000, the Lazio supporters club boast 150 active members. Encouraged by an ever-increasing membership, the energetic committee members immediately started a search for a premises to host local Lazio supporters.

Not much time had elapsed before the Paola premises were chosen for this purpose. The place opened its doors for Lazio fans to watch live Serie A matches on September 16, 2001. On that day Lazio figured in a dull goalless draw with lowly Torino at the Olimpico.

In a short speech yesterday, Pulici, a lawyer by profession, praised the contribution that local supporters clubs in general are giving in fostering sport education particularly among youngsters.

"Besides their inherent scope as a meeting place for fans, supporters clubs are also fundamental in fostering a healthy sport education between members," he said.

Pulici, who acts as Lazio liaison with European soccer governing body UEFA and the Italian League Federation, was particularly impressed with the warm reception he was given on his arrival in Malta and the enthusiasm of the Maltese tifosi.

Pulici, a goalkeeper and pillar in Tommaso Maestrelli's 1973/74 Lazio title-winning side, thanked all those present for their ongoing and loyal support to the club even in critical times.

Mifsud also addressed those present. From the outset he wanted to make his position clear.

"I am here in the capacity of Malta FA president and as such, while encouraging such initiatives I would recommend that all local supporters clubs of foreign teams come together in a bid to bolster support in the local game in particular the national team," he said.

Mifsud pointed out that Lazio are the only club from Italy's Serie A big guns that have yet to play on Maltese soil.

"Who knows if one day Lazio will play an exhibition game in Malta?" asked the Malta FA president.

Last year, Sultana was one of the youth coaches in the first Lazio Summer Camp staged in Malta. He was afterwards presented with a memento after becoming the most prolific marksman of all times in the local game.

With 176 Premier League goals, Sultana last season broke Tony Nicholl's record which had resisted for over 40 years.

Later, Pulici unveiled a plaque in commemoration of the event in the presence of Fr Anton Dalli, a former Spiritual Director at the Malta FA.