Maltco injection for MFA's KO competitions

A renewed drive to entice new sponsorships for the country's leading football competitions is clearly yielding dividends for the Malta FA.

After Bank of Valletta were unveiled as the new sponsors for the National Leagues, yesterday it was the turn of Maltco Lotteries to join the MFA's partnership family.

Financial backing from Maltco Lotteries will be given to the MFA's KO competitions, namely the FA Trophy and the Division Two and Three KO, for the next three years.

U*Bet, the football betting game, has been chosen as the title sponsor for the FA Trophy while the recently-launched Quick Keno will be linked with the competition for Division Two and Three clubs.

By virtue of this three-year deal, the winners and runners-up of the FA Trophy will receive what Dr Joe Mifsud, the Malta FA president, described as "a handsome amount of money".

This also applies to the winners and losing finalists of the KO competition for the teams in the lower rungs of Maltese football where all participants in the competition will be financially rewarded according to performance. The prize money will be paid directly to the clubs by the sponsors.

"I am pleased to announce a new sponsorship deal for the FA Trophy and Division II/III KO for the next three years," Dr Mifsud said at the opening of a news conference yesterday which was preceded by a minute's silence in respect of former Malta goalkeeper David Cluett. He passed away on Sunday, aged 39.

The presence of Constantinos Antonopoulos, the Chief Executive Officer of Greek company Intralot SA, and Joannis Katakis, Chief Executive Officer of Maltco Lotteries, attested to the importance being attached by Maltco to their first sponsorship agreement of local football.

"Maltco felt that it should assist Maltese football by aligning themselves with the FA Trophy and the Division Two and Three KO," Dr Mifsud said.

"The duration of this sponsorship is three years. My hope is that our partnership with Maltco will flourish but our priority is to prove to the company that this deal is worthwhile."

Dr Antonopoulos voiced his satisfaction at the new agreement, one that extends "the excellent collaboration that the Department of Lotto and MFA experienced before".

Focusing on the close ties between lotteries and football, Dr Antonopoulos said: "There has always been a strong bond between lotteries and football.

"In most countries, lotteries are the major contributors of the game, not to mention that the UEFA Intertoto Cup is played every summer thanks to the financial support of major European lotteries (European Football Pool)."

Despite the negative publicity evoked by betting scandals in some European countries, Dr Antonopoulos stressed the commitment of football and lottery organisers to rid the game of unwanted practices.

"Both sides have now realised that they have to work together for the improvement of the sport," Dr Antonopoulos said.

"In this context, we have lately witnessed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UEFA and the European Lotteries Association.

"UEFA has taken an important step in its fight against corruption and match-fixing within the European football competitions.

"This MOU will entitle UEFA to an increased level of access to information from within the betting industry to monitor proceedings with the aim of ensuring the continued integrity of European football."

Dr Katakis said: "We hope that this sponsorship is just the beginning of a fruitful partnership with the Malta FA.

"It is Maltco's aim to increase the sponsorship for Maltese football. The company has been operating here for a year and the success of our lotteries have enabled us to make this commitment."

Once the high-profile representatives of the MFA and Maltco had put their signatures on the contract, attention turned to the draw of the first round of the 2005-2006 FA Trophy and the preliminary round of the Division II/III KO.

The FA Trophy draw involved six Premier League teams and the 10 taking part in Division One.

The FA Trophy winners and three leading teams in the Premier League last season do not play in the first round of the competition.

Thus holders Birkirkara, champions Sliema, Hibs and Valletta did not figure in yesterday's draw.

U*BET FA Trophy

First round: Marsaxlokk vs Lija; St George's vs Hamrun, Floriana vs Tarxien, St Patrick vs Mosta, Pietà vs San Gwann, Mqabba vs Msida SJ, St An-drews vs Marsa, Naxxar vs Senglea.

Matches: October 29-30 and Nov-ember 5-6 (Centenary Stadium).

Quick Keno Div. II/III KO GROUPS

Group One - Xghajra Tornadoes, Gzira United, Kirkop United, Gudja United.

Group Two - Zebbug Rangers, Siggiewi FC, Vittoriosa Stars, Mgarr United.

Group Three - Kalkara, Dingli Swallows, Ta' Xbiex, Mellieha.

Group Four - Qormi, Rabat Ajax, Sta Venera Lightnings, Sta Lucija.

Group Five - Sirens, Ghaxaq, Melita.

Group Six - Zejtun Corinthians, Birzebbuga SP, Balzan Youths.

Group Seven - Pembroke Athleta, Fgura United, Attard.

Group Eight - Luqa St Andrew's, Zurrieq, Gharghur.

Matches: September 4-21.