Swiss teams conduct training camps at Floriana ground

Swiss semi-professional and professional teams are conducting their winter training camp in Malta, using the Floriana FC facilities and the natural turf ground at the Independence Arena.

Some of the teams, including FC Oberglatt, have already completed their programme last month but others are expected to arrive as the ground is booked until mid-April.

Tony Zahra, former Floriana FC president and now in charge of the facilities, said: "We are continuously improving as we believe that sport can play a significant role in attracting tourism to our country, particularly in winter."

Thanks to the financial support of the Malta FA, Floriana are currently negotiating on a major revamp at their training grounds, including a new lighting system, perimeter fence and dressing rooms.

In addition, the club is also in the process of relaying the synthetic turf carpet at the adjacent nine-a-side pitch which is now projected to have a nine-year lifespan.

Swedish side in Malta

Swedish team GIF Sundsvall, with a contingent of 35 players and officials, is currently in Malta for a one-week training camp.

This was done on the initiative of Konrad Cassar Naudi, Honorary Consul for Malta in Sweden.

GIF Sundsvall usually practise in Cyprus at this time of the year but the club was attracted by the presentation and programme made by Cassar Naudi.

Besides training sessions, during their stay GIF Sundsvall will be playing two matches, one against Malta U-21 and another against Premier League side Msida St Joseph.