The Malta FA welcomed a new partner to its fold yesterday after the Malta International Airport (MIA) was officially presented as the new sponsor of the MFA leagues, as reported by The Times on Wednesday.
At a news conference at the Public Viewing Gallery inside the airport, Peter Bolech, chief executive officer of MIA plc and Dr Joe Mifsud, president of the Malta FA, gave details of the new deal.
Also present for yesterday's briefing were John Dalli, the Minister of Finance, and Lawrence Zammit, chairman of MIA plc.
By virtue of the sponsorship agreement signed yesterday, MIA plc has become the official backer of the 2003/04 MFA leagues with an option of extending the contract by another two years.
Furthermore, MIA will also relaunch the Player of the Month award plus several other annual honours, namely the MFA Footballer of the Year, Best Player and the Top Scorer in all divisions. Members of the national squad will also receive VIP treatment at the MIA each time they leave the country for international commitments.
The sponsorship agreement announced yesterday is the first major deal signed by the Malta FA since its long-standing association with Central Cigarette Limited came to an end last summer. The MFA had been looking for new sponsors for several months but were unable to secure new backers for the current season.
"This agreement is by no means a charitable deal. MIA and MFA have agreed on a number of arrangements that will be of great benefit to both parties and their respective employees and footballers," Mifsud remarked.
According to Mifsud, the agreement will yield a significantly higher income to the 48 clubs affiliated with the MFA when compared to the amount they used to get under previous deals.
In return, all clubs have to ensure that the MIA logo is featured on the sleeves of the shirts worn by the players and that official interviews be carried out against a backdrop showing the name and lozenge of the sponsor.
MIA shall also be paying for the manufacture of new trophies as well as miniature cups to be presented to the winners of all MFA leagues at the end of next season.
Malta Mediterranean Consortium Limited, which last year bought a 40 per cent stake in the MIA as part of the government's privatisation process of the airport, also has substantial foreign investment in the Vienna International Airport.
Mifsud alluded to the connection between Malta and Austria in football. The national team's first official international match was against the Austrians on February 24, 1957. More than 17,000 spectators are estimated to have watched that match at the Empire Ground which saw the visitors winning 3-2.
Sammy Nicholl and Tony Cauchi, who grabbed Malta's goals on that occasion, were present for yesterday's news conference together with several of their team-mates who played against Austria.
Social commitment
Bolech said the sponsorship agreement with MFA represents the first of three policies the company shall be embarking on in line with its social commitment towards the country.
"Throughout the whole privatisation process, the government, through the Minister of Finance, emphasised the importance that MIA retains its social obligations. The consortium always identified itself with this role and the deal we have entered with the MFA is a clear sign in this direction," Bolech said.
"By promoting sports, we are increasing the interest in the game, instilling a great sense of national pride and contributing towards a better and healthier lifestyle," Bolech added.
MIA will be promoted in every stadium hosting league matches. The MIA will have an executive box at the Millennium Stand and VIP seats in the main stand. MIA employees will also benefit from a number of concessions, including free tickets for both league and international matches as well as reduced rates on a number of recreational facilities at the National Stadium.
Financial details of the sponsorship deal were not revealed but well-placed sources described it as lucrative.
Minister Dalli praised the agreement which he described as a concrete partnership between the corporate and civic sectors of the society.
"This initiative provides a good example of this kind of relationship between a productive sector and an institution which strives to enrich the quality of life," Dalli said.
David Carabott, the skipper of the Maltese team, also made a speech for the occasion.
"One cannot overlook the international involvement of the national teams as well as the local clubs," Carabott said. "Considering the considerable amount of travelling Maltese teams do throughout the year, it is fitting to have the MIA as the new sponsors of the national leagues. What the MIA is doing today goes a long way in helping not only the MFA but all the affiliated clubs and the football community in general."
Carabott, who has a record 114 appearances to his name, said that the backing of such a prestigious company like the MIA gives footballers plenty of motivation to strive harder to make this beautiful game more accessible and attractive.