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Spirit of solidarity prevails during Boxing Day Tournament

Published: 26-12-2017 11:55
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A spirit of camaraderie prevailed at the Centenary Stadium on Tuesday morning as teams representing the Malta Football Association, the Malta Sports Journalists Association (MSJA), the Malta Football Referees Association (MFRA) and the Malta Football Coaches Association (MFCA) participated in the Boxing Day Tournament. Organised by the MSJA, this tournament is an occasion for four of the main stakeholders in local football to come together and play in a friendly event during the festive season. It also serves as a fund-raising activity for L-Istrina with the participating players and attendees donating €10 each in aid of the Malta Community Chest Fund. Six matches, on a seven-a-side basis, were played, with two games staged simultaneously every hour between 9am and noon. The MFCA selection won the tournament with maximum points. While the tournament was played in an atmosphere of solidarity, the competitive aspect was not lacking. Not surprising really, given the array of former high-profile players gracing the pitch of the Centenary Stadium. Former Malta players Brian Said and Alex Azzopardi, and Rupert Mangion, the ex-Ħamrun Spartans stalwart, lined up for the coaches’ selection while Ray ‘Żażu’ Farrugia, Edwin Camilleri, Noel Turner and Silvio Vella turned out for the Malta FA team. Matthew Naudi, the former St Andrews player, and popular actor Ben Camille, who used to play for Hibernians, were part of the sports’ journalists squad. The tournament also provided Malta FA General Secretary Dr Angelo Chetcuti, Vice-President Dr Matthew Paris and Rodney Pisani, the MFA Deputy General Secretary with an opportunity to swap their suits for a football kit. For the record, the MFCA selection won all their three games, beating the MFA team 3-0, MSJA 4-1 and MFRA 2-0. MFCA player Zach Tanti was the tournament’s top scorer with four goals. President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca visited the tournament along with Clifton Grima, the Parliamentary Secretary for Sport. HE Ms Coleiro Preca expressed her appreciation to the participating players and officials of the four organisations for renewing their support towards L-Istrina. Also present were Norman Darmanin Demajo, the Malta FA President, Lolly Aquilina, the head of the MFCA, Alexie Tabone, who leads the MFRA, and Sandro Micallef, the President of the MSJA who presented the winners’ shield to Brian Said, the MFCA captain.  RESULTSMFA vs MFCA 0-3MSJA vs MFRA 2-0MSJA vs MFCA 1-4MFA vs MFRA 0-2MSJA vs MFA 1-4MFCA vs MFRA 2-0 Standings: MFCA 9 points; MFA, MFRA, MSJA 3.