Mario Borg Memorial Festival

The Luxol Sports Club and St Andrew’s FC will hold the Mario Borg Memorial Football Festival today at the Luxol Stadium, starting at 12.30 p.m.

With 16 teams from 10 nurseries taking part, a total of 232 children will play 32 matches in this year’s festival.

The tournament is open to children born after January 1999 and 2000. The participating nurseries are Birkirkara, Ħamrun Spartans, Melita, Mosta, Paola Hibernians, Pietà Hotspurs, Qormi, Rabat Ajax, San Ġwann and St Andrew’s.

Before the draws last Monday, Mario De Battista, administrator of St Andrew’s, stressed the importance of giving all children the opportunity to take an active part in matches, urging the coaches to “let them play”.

De Battista said the ultimate aim of these fun festivals is to offer young players a positive experience through football, adding that this was the philosophy of the late Mario Borg who had a long and distinguished career in youth coaching.

At today’s festival, St Andrew’s will apply the U-11 and U-13 YFA Fun Football Festival Rules.

Paul Falzon, the president of St Andrew’s, was present for Monday’s draws at the Luxol Stadium.