Overview of work carried out by Malta FA in challenging year

Season 2020-21 was a very challenging year for the Malta Football Association and local football due to the difficulties created by the COVID-19 pandemic but this did not deter the association from pressing on with its projects and initiatives, including the launch of the strategy for the period 2020-24. Presenting the administrative report at the ongoing Annual General Meeting at the Dolmen Hotel, Dr Angelo Chetcuti, the General Secretary of the Malta FA, highlighted the unrelenting work carried out by the various departments of the Association over the past 12 months. These efforts take on added significance in the context of the uncertainty created by the pandemic and the ensuing complexities, such as the COVID-19 protocols rigorous testing regime, and the eventual suspension of sports activities, factors which rendered the planning process very difficult. “The past season was conditioned by the COVID panemic but, amidst all these difficulties, our work continued unabated and several objectives have been reached as reflected by this administrative report,” Dr Chetcuti said. “It’s my duty to highlight the work which is not always visible, especially in the administration of our core busines - football played on the field. “There are several essential processes which are taken for granted – registrations, licensing, refereeing, planning and match operations, involving hundreds of players, hundrers of matches, many variables and behind all this there are many people who keep these processes going.” Highlighting the COVID-19 protocols and the medical safeguards, Dr Chetcuti remarked that the improvement in the medical sector was not limited to the pandemic but in many other areas also thanks to the creation of a committee dedicated to the important aspect. The Malta FA also maintained its drive to introduce new features by way of facilitating the use as well as to enhance the quality of the data, including the technical aspect which is being supported by analysis software and increased monitoring of the players and their condition. Other activities include the maintenance of facilities, the groundwork carried out by the newly-established Inħobb il-Futbol Foundation, including a collaboration agreement with the Ministry of Education which will see the introduction of football sessions in schools and the regional football hubs for children aged 11 to 14.NATIONAL TEAMSFocusing on the technical aspect which constitutes one of the foremost priorities of the Association’s strategy, the Malta FA General Secretary expressed his satisfaction at the positive results obtained by the men’s and women’s national teams during season 2020-21 but urged caution. “It’s easy to look at the 10 points attained by the women’s team in the UEFA Women’s EURO qualifiers and the second place claimed by the men’s team in the UEFA Nations League and think that we have achieved something,” Dr Chetcuti said. “In truth, every point gained means a lot of hard work and this should not be underestimated. Credit goes to the players, coaches and all the staff for their great commitment which led to these encouraging results.” Dr Chetcuti paid tribute to the clubs for their co-operation, especially for the technical projects being undertaken by the Malta FA such as the Elite Youth Players Project which is included in the Memorandum Of Understanding signed with the Premier League and Challenge League clubs. Other positive points during the season just ended include the ongoing initiatives related to futsal and beach soccer, the increased efforts to boost the Association’s commercial income which have resulted in new sponsorship deals despite the complications caused by COVID-19, and the ongoing work of MFA SportsPlus Limited. GOVERNANCE AND STATUTE REFORMS Season 2020-21 also saw the Malta FA embark a wide consultation process which has been crucial for the proposed reform of the Association’s statute which will be addressed during an Extraordinary General Meeting scheduled to take place on Monday. “There is also an ongoing process of due diligence, where for the first time an eligibility check has been carried out for the persons nominated to form part of the Executive Committe, the creation fo the Ethics and Compliance Committee and the approval of a new Code of Ethics together with safeguarding initiatives to tackle money laundersing because football doesn’t exist in isolation,” Dr Chetcuti said. The Malta FA General Secretary concluded his speech by thanking the Association’s officials, employees, clubs and all stakeholders for their commitment and contribution towards Maltese football.