Football For Life initiatives during COVID-19 – Update

The Malta Football Association is active on a number of fronts with a series of football social responsibility initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first initiative, launched in March, provides support for healthcare workers who may require alternative accommodation in the interest of public health. Several rooms have been made available to the Ministry of Health after the Malta FA reached an agreement with four accommodation service providers – Cozy Rooms Hotel (Sliema), Inħawi Boutique Hostel (St Julians), Charleston Heights Residence in Naxxar and Euro Guest House in Gżira – all owned by members of the local football family, who have significantly reduced their daily room rates in support of this initiative. The related costs are being covered by the Malta FA through our social responsibility fund as part of our Football For Life programme.  DAILY TELEVISION PROGRAMME On April 6, the Malta FA launched a daily television programme – #TrainingWithMFA – to encourage children to keep exercising at home during the COVID-19 crisis. The programmes, being shown daily on One TV, Net TV and Melita’s Promo Channel well as on the Malta FA social media channels, promote physical activity and football skills exercises which can be performed indoors. The exercises, targeting children and young teenagers, are carried out by national team players under the guidance of qualified football and fitness and performance coaches who form part of the Malta FA’s technical sector. Another initiative is the #ibqaġewwa#stayathome tour which has now entered its third week. Members of TeamMT have already visited around 30 localities, offering live music sessions while encouraging people to stay at home. Members of the local media and entertainment industry form part of TeamMT whose main objective is to promote and also raise funds for good causes. “The response for this tour has been great with people coming out of their windows and balconies to join in the songs,” Peter Busuttil, from the Malta FA’s Football Social Responsibility department, said. “It is our way of showing solidarity and courage to all those who are staying at home as well as the healthcare workers and all those who are contributing to the nationwide efforts to fight COVID-19.”