LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER BRIGHT PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON

The stage is set for another league season which has as its showcase the BOV Premier League due to start on Saturday17 August, a  two-phase trek which is due to end in April.  If last season’s campaign is indicative of things to come then local football fans should be in for another enthralling season with issues being resolved at the wire. The league decider between eventual champions Birkirkara and Hibernians stands out in this respect as does the relegation issue and the splitting of teams between the championship and bottom pools.   The Malta Football Association is nevertheless set on improving the league format after the 2013-2014 season following proper discussions at Executive and Council levels. This will be done to make the competition even more interesting for spectators and attractive for all participating teams. The main innovation this year is the staging of six matches every weekend, some of which are played simultaneously. This will be coupled with direct transmission of a number of matches. The main contenders for the top honour of Maltese football are likely to be the same as those of last season, with champions Birkirkara, Hibernians, Sliema Wanderers and Valletta being the front-runners. Challenges, especially for the championship pool places, should come from Floriana, Mosta, Qormi and Tarxien Rainbows, with Rabat Ajax and Balzan seeking to improve on last season’s showing. Newly-promoted Naxxar Lions and Vittoriosa Stars are expected to offer good competition, thus seeking to retain their status in the top division. The opening match on 17 August will be between Birkirkara and Rabat Ajax at the National Stadium, followed by the clash between Balzan and Vittoriosa Stars. On Sunday the Centenary Stadium offers the setting for the Naxxar Lions v Floriana and Sliema Wanderers v Qormi matches, while Valletta v Mosta and Tarxien Rainbows v Hibernians will be in action at the same time at the National Stadium.     Skilful and entertaining fare should be a priority as the respective teams will aim to attain pre-season targets. Aspirations for all sets of supporters will be high as the competition unfolds. The over-riding factors should definitely be good standard of play and sporting behaviour, efficient control by referees and other officials of all matches and exemplary attitudes from all sections of supporters.    Expectations are high. It is hoped that these are fulfilled to make the 2013-2014 BOV Premier League season another bright and memorable one.  The full programme for Matchday 1 of the BOV Premier League Sat 17th AugRABAT A. vs B'KARA  -  National Stadium @ 18.30hrsVITTORIOSA S. vs BALZAN  -  National Stadium @ 20.30hrs Sun 18th AugustVALLETTA vs MOSTA  -  National Stadium @ 18.30hrsNAXXAR L. vs FLORIANA  -  Centenary Stadium @ 18.30hrsTARXIEN R. vs HIBERNIANS  -  National Stadium @ 20.30hrsSLIEMA W. vs QORMI  -  Centenary Stadium @ 20.45hrs