Weekend fixtures modified to avoid competition from European leagues

The Malta Football Association have elected to modify the traditional fixtures sequence in an attempt to boost the dwindling attendances of Premier League matches for season 2003-2004.

MFA president Dr Joe Mifsud, speaking during a press conference at the MFA Technical Centre during which the new MIA Football League logo was unveiled, said that last season's figures showed a considerable drop in attendances for top-flight matches.

"Unfortunately, there was a considerable decrease in last year's attendance figures for Premier League matches when compared with those of previous years. Most top-flight matches were played in front of very small crowds and we at the MFA are determined to find new ways how to attract local fans to our stadia," the MFA president said.

"We believe that having Premier League matches clashing with games from top European leagues was one of the reasons behind this decline.

"It seems that during weekends, the local football fan prefers to stay at home to watch English and Italian league matches.

"In order to avoid this scenario, most of our Premier League matches for season 2003-2004 have been earmarked for Friday and Monday evenings as we believe that, on those days, football enthusiasts are more likely to venture to local stadia."

The MFA president added that this change meant that most of the matches in the first phase of the Premier League will take place at the National Stadium due to late kick-off times.

The First Division championship will again be played at the Tedesco Stadium and the Hibs Ground while matches from the Second and Third Division championships will be staged at the Centenary Stadium.

Home matches of Gozo FC, who will take part in the Division Two league, will be played at the Gozo Stadium bar their clash with Zejtun who have requested to play their match at Sannat.

Player of the month award relaunched

The Premier League player of the month award is also expected to be relaunched this season as part of the MFA's sponsorship agreement with the Malta International Airport (MIA). Mifsud said that the MIA will provide the trophies to be presented to the monthly winners throughout the campaign.

Simon Sultana, MIA communication officer, said that the company has produced a 12-second video jingle for television stations to use prior to all reports on matches of the MFA leagues.

Sultana said that it was the company's intention to help the Malta FA in its bid to increase the popularity of the game in Malta. He revealed that the company operating the local airport has already established contact with a number of Austrian clubs with a view to bringing them over for training camps in Malta.

"The MIA, through its contacts with the Wien International Airport, is examining the possibilities of inviting a number of teams based in the vicinity of the Austrian capital, to stage their winter training camps in Malta. Talks are still ongoing but we are confident of attracting these sides towards our shores," Sultana said.

"Besides, there is also a good chance that an Austrian side, Schwechat, will accept our invitation to travel to Malta for a friendly with an MFA XI selection. Proceeds from this match will go for charity," Sultana said.