On the eve of Malta’s 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign start, the Malta FA yesterday paraded its off-field supporting cast, namely the national team’s commercial partners.

Flanked by the representatives of the sponsors during a news conference at the Centenary Hall, Bjorn Vassallo, the Malta FA CEO, said the association’s endeavours to secure strong backing for the squad were motivated by a desire to enhance the image of the national team as well as the matchday experience for the public.

“Our national team will be facing some very strong countries in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers,” Vassallo said.

“The most attractive challenge is undoubtedly the home match against Italy who will be here in March. We will play against Italy in Modena next week.

“The expectations for these qualifiers are understandably high and at the MFA we have been doing our best to urge the public to get right behind the team.”

Malta take on Armenia in their opening qualifier at the National Stadium tomorrow.

The other teams in Group B are Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic and Bulgaria.

Football is the most popular sport and attracts large audiences, bringing people together even in difficult economic times, the MFA CEO contended.

“In a local context, we think that games involving the national team are an experience that should be enjoyed by more people,” he told reporters.

“We want to instill passion in our fans and make football events more attractive. Today, we’re presenting our selection, not Pietro Ghedin’s team, but a group of partners who are supporting our national team.”

The MFA have forged partnerships with FXDD, the national team’s platinum sponsors, Simonds Cisk, gold sponsors, Bortex, Powerade, Grand Hotel Excelsior, Montekristo beverages and vineyards, Miles Express, Starbene and Infront.

Givova, represented locally by TuttoSport, are the national team’s technical suppliers.

The new Malta kits and other apparel, to be worn by all the national selections for the next two years, were unveiled yesterday.

All representatives of the sponsors said they were pleased to be associated with the MFA and wished the national team success in the upcoming qualifiers.

Marco Debono said Simonds Farsons Cisk were keen to help generate greater enthusiasm during international football games like they normally experience in rugby.

Martin Agius, from General Soft Drinks Limited, said his firm’s backing of Maltese football spans more than 17 years.

“Initially, we were also the title sponsors of the national league through Coca Cola,” he said.

“At present, we’re directly involved with no fewer than 25 clubs. We felt that the MFA deserved a proper sponsor, an international brand, and Powerade fits the bill perfectly.”

Vassallo yesterday also referred to the Goal Card initiative which enables fans to buy a block ticket for all home qualifiers at a reduced price.

“This initiative has gone down extremely well with the local sporting public,” Vassallo said.

His words were backed by Martin Ferry, of Miles Express, the company responsible for the delivery of the Goal Cards to the buyers.

“I never imagined that the Goal Card initiative would be such a success,” Ferry said.

“I want to congratulate the MFA for the professional way it is being run.”

Malta-Armenia – Ghedin’s squad