2017/18 champions to be rewarded with new trophies

The winners of the BOV football championships in all four divisions will be presented with new trophies at the end of this season. The family of league trophies is now complete as the new cups for the BOV First, Second and Third Division have just been delivered to the Malta Football Association. Each of the trophies was designed and made in-house by Thomas Lyte, Goldsmiths and Silversmiths to Her Majesty The Queen, and the designs are exclusive to the Malta FA. A minimum of four different craftsmen will have been involved in the production of the trophies. “The decision to commission new trophies for all the divisions stems from the Malta FA’s willingness to reward the league winners with a prestigious trophy befitting their achievement,” Norman Darmanin Demajo, the President of the Malta FA said. “The design of the trophies for the BOV First, Second and Third Division is virtually the same with the aim of creating a new, coherent image for these divisions.” CUP FEATURES Kevin Baker, Chief Executive of Thomas Lyte, shed a light on the features of the new league trophies. “On each lid of the Division One, Two and Three Trophy the ‘finial’ (the term for any detailing which sits atop of a trophy lid), is beautifully crafted from the centrepiece of the Malta FA logo, namely the Maltese Cross and the football,” Baker said. While the design of the three trophies is essentially the same, the height varies by way of demonstrating the contrast between the different divisions. The new cups complement the BOV Premier League trophy which was unveiled recently. THRILLING FINALEAs season 2017/18 reaches its climax, everything is still to play for in all divisions. In the BOV Premier League, only two points separate leaders Valletta and Balzan with two games remaining. In the BOV First Division, long-time leaders Qormi, who secured promotion to the top flight last weekend, are very close to winning the title as they lead Pietà Hotspurs by four points with two matches left. The BOV Second Division title is still up for grabs going into the final programme on Saturday with Gudja United occupying top spot on 46 points, followed by Sta Lucia on 45 and Swieqi United on 44 points. Given that the leading three teams can all win the championship on the final, their matches will kick off simultaneously at 4pm on Saturday – Gudja meet Fgura at the Luxol Stadium, Sta Lucia take on Siġġiewi at the Centenary Stadium and Swieqi play against Marsaxlokk at the Sirens Stadium, In the BOV Third Division, Sta Venera Lightnings are on course to lift the new championship trophy after their 4-0 victory over Mellieħa in last weekend’s top-of-the-table clash. Sta Venera are now three points clear of Mellieħa with both teams having already sealed promotion ahead of their final matches. On Sunday, Sta Venera only need a point from their match against Żurrieq at the Luxol Stadium while Mellieħa meet Kirkop at the Charles Abela Stadium with both games kicking off at 4pm.