Veteran football players past their prime should acknowledge the sterling work performed by Mario Meli, ex-sports journalist and former athlete, as well ashis hard working committee,in the setting up of Football Masters – Malta.

This gives players over 35 the opportunity to mix socially in a stimulating sporting ambience and experience the “feel-good factor” that emanates from vigorous sport. Their participation is also a shining example to combat the modern scourge of obesity by indulging in lifetime sport.

The Football Masters – Malta’s recent friendly encounter against a German team with three ex-internationals – was most welcome and encouraging as it gave our “old boys” not only the opportunity to excel but also to strongly boost sports tourism, an economic pillar which is as yet not fully exploited in the shoulder months.

Thanks are also due to the initiative of Thomas Freller, former senior lecturer at the University of Malta.

Besides organising the German visit, Freller gave a lecture on the eve of the game, on the occasion of History Week organised by the Malta Historical Society, a fitting example to our academics not to discard sport.

The Malta Football Association has also risen to the occasion by putting at the disposal of Masters Malta the beautiful Centenary Stadium and match officials.

It is earnestly hoped that the media will give better coverage to these friendly encounters, especially as Masters Malta have set the ball rolling for an international tournament here next year having already made contacts with Manchester United veterans and Brazil Masters.

For these iconic teams to participate, the massive assis-tance of the Malta Tourism Authority and other sources would be necessary.