DRAWS FOR THE BOV NATIONAL LEAGUES

The draws for the BOV National League for season 2013-14 were made complete amid expectations of interesting and keenly-fought competitions involving 53 member clubs in the four divisions as well as the 14women’s teams in the first and second divisions.  After the draws for the BOV Premier League had been made during this year’s Annual Awards activity, it was now the turn for the other divisions including those from the woemn’s competitions. BOV Chief Officer Operations Michael Galea assisted by Bjorn Vassallo, MFA Chief Executive Officer, in the drawing of fixtures.. MFA Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bjorn Vassallo said that, "With just a handful of weeks away from an extremely exciting finish to the 2012-13 football season. It is now time to complete the draws for the BOV National Leagues, following those of the BOV Premier League which were made during MFA's Annual Awards in mid June."He added that the Malta Football Association is committed to continue with the reform of local football with the ultimate aim of helping the clubs to reach a sound financial position in order for them to be able to perform at higher standards. The association also augurs that the popularity of the game in Malta will continue to grow at both local grassroots level as well as at international level.Mr. Vassallo finally thanked all the association's sponsors and commercial partners for investing their resources for the sake of the continued evolution of football in Malta. "Bank of Valletta are always in the forefront and together with the MFA are meeting such opportunities with a positive approach."­“Bank of Valletta has become synonymous with the local football scene, the upcoming season being the ninth consecutive football season supported by Bank of Valletta” said Michael Galea “We are confident that our support is contributing directly towards the development of the game as seen in the recent results obtained by the clubs in the European competitions and the National Team”. ‘In a month’s time, we will be meeting at Ta’ Qali for the BOV Super Cup”, continued Mr Galea. “We are confident that the new season will be as exciting and competitive as the last one, and that the fans and supporters will once again be treated to a spectacle of healthy competition.” A good number of club committee members and a number of journalists were present for the draws held at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, Floriana. Also present on the panel to explain details of the draws was Rodney Pisani, MFA Deputy General Secretary responsible for fixtures.         The  2013/14Season is set to kick off with the BOV Super Cup Final between Champions B’Kara F.C.  and U*BET F.A. Trophy winners HiberniansF.C., which is scheduled for the 7thAugust 2013. The BOV Premier League will kick-off on 17th August, with all the other leagues starting in the first weeks of Septmeber. Matches from the BOV Premier League will this year be played on Saturdays and Sundays at the National Stadium, Victor Tedesco Stadium, Hibernians Stadium and Centenary Stadium. All matches from the  BOV 1st Division League will be held at the Centenary Stadium, Victor Tedesco Stadium and Luxol Stadium. While matches from the BOV 2nd and 3rd Division Leagues will be played at Centenary, Luxol, Sirens and Mosta. All Matchday 1 fixtures for the different categories are listed below BOV Premier League1st Matches to be played on 17th August 2013Matchday 1SLIEMA W.vsQORMIMatchday 1RABAT A.vsBIRKIRKARAMatchday 1NAXXAR L.vsFLORIANAMatchday 1VITTORIOSA S.vsBALZANMatchday 1TARXIEN R.vsHIBERNIANSMatchday 1VALLETTAvsMOSTA  BOV First Division1st Matches to be played on 13th September 2013Matchday 1LIJA ATHLETICvsB’BUGIA S.P.Matchday 1HAMRUN S.vsZEJTUN C.Matchday 1ZEBBUG R.vsZURRIEQMatchday 1MSIDA S.J.vsST ANDREWSMatchday 1GUDJA UTD.vsM’XLOKKMatchday 1ST GEORGESvsMELITAMatchday 1GZIRA UTD.vsPIETA H.   BOV Second Division1st Matches to be played on 13th September 2013Matchday 1MQABBAvsSENGLEA  ATH.Matchday 1SIGGIEWIvsSAN GWANNMatchday 1MELLIEHAvsFGURA UTD.Matchday 1KIRKOP UTD.vsMDINA KMatchday 1PEMBROKE ATHvsDINGLI S.Matchday 1GHARGHURvsM’SKALAMatchday 1MARSAvsZABBAR S.P. BOV Third Division1st Matches to be played on 14th September 2013Matchday 1LUQA S.A.vsXGHAJRA T.Matchday 1GHAXAQvsSTA LUCIAMatchday 1SIRENSvsMTARFAMatchday 1TA’ XBIEXvsSWIEQI UTD.Matchday 1KALKARAvsATTARDMatchday 1QRENDIvsST VENERA L.MGARR UTD.. bye BOV Women’s First Division 1st Matches to be played on 9th September 2013 Matchday 1RAIDERS L.vsMOSTAMatchday 1HIBERNIANSvsKIRKOP UTD.Matchday 1GOZO F.C.vsMGARR UTD.Matchday 1BIRKIRKARAvsPEMBROKE ATH. Draws for the BOV Women’s Second Division will be made at a later stage