Elections for new president takes centre stage

For the first time in 12 years, an election is needed to decide who secures the top job in Maltese football. This will take place during the Malta FA's annual general meeting today at the Centenary Hall, Ta' Qali.

Joe Caruana Curran, the former president of Valletta FC, has taken the plunge and presented his candidature for the Malta FA presidency.

Since he succeeded Dr George Abela in 1992, Dr Joe Mifsud had never been contested for the job.

Campaigning by the two candidates has intensified over the last few days in their bid to win the confidence of the 100 officials - representatives of clubs and member associations - who are eligible to vote.

Caruana Curran's campaign has focused on the need to revitalise Maltese football through an innovative and decentralised approach.

Over the past few weeks, he has had meetings with officials of all clubs affiliated with the Malta FA during which he explained his modus operandi and other goals if he wins the vote.

If elected, Caruana Curran promised to give up the president's honorarium, calculated at between Lm12,000 and Lm15,000, and the money will be passed on to Division Two and Three clubs in annual payments of Lm500 each.

For his part, Dr Mifsud has dwelt on the projects undertaken by the association during his tenure.

Highlights of all that was achieved in the past few years and certain key decisions were other topics tackled by the president in a strongly-worded 10-page letter he sent to the clubs this week in the lead-up to today's election.

The election of the president for a three-year period, 2004-2007, is the fifth item on the meeting's agenda.

No changes are envisaged in the other top positions within the association as only the current officials have been nominated for the three posts of vice-presidents and that of treasurer.

Carmelo Bartolo, John Farrugia and Ludovico Micallef - vice-presidents - and Alex Manfrè, the treasurer, will retain their seats for another three-year term.

Elections to fill the 11 ordinary seats on the Executive Committee will also be held today but only two are needed.

Three candidates - Raymond Micallef, Paul Sammut and Charles Scerri - are vying to gain one of the two slots as representatives of Member Clubs in general. Lawrence Callus, Joseph Cassar Naudi and Alfred Spiteri are the three candidates to fill the two Member Associations posts.

Seven council members have proposed themselves to assume the remaining seven seats on the committee: Premier Division - Joseph Gauci, Paul Spiteri. Division One - Ivan Calamatta, Charles Calleja. Division Two - Salvu Vella. Division Three - Joseph Farrugia. Youth FA - Joe Micallef.

Caruana Curran statement

Yesterday evening, Caruana Curran issued a statement saying he was compelled to send a short message to delegates attending today's annual general meeting as he was not invited to attend.

Caruana Curran said he was sending his message at the very last minute because today, unlike Dr Mifsud, he will not have the opportunity to address delegates before the voting procedure is carried out.

"In such circumstances, candidates contesting any kind of election should be given an equal chance to express themselves freely in a level playing field," he said.

The statement added that as things evolved, Dr Mifsud will be the only one of the two candidates for MFA president to be present at the Centenary Hall and deliver his speech to delegates.

Caruana Curran had no other alternative but to thank officials and members of the annual general meeting through a brief message which was delivered by hand.