The fourth Cisk Export Beach Soccer Tour kicks off this weekend at Mellieha Bay. Again, it will be spread over four weekends as the tour features Pretty Bay, Gozo's Ramla Bay and Golden Bay where the final will be played on July 13.

On Sunday, foreign players who ply their trade in Malta will battle the heat and sand in an exhibition match at 5.30 p.m.

Other interesting matches this weekend are fixtures from the top league. Wiggles, the title holders, will play 2001 champions Export Lions tomorrow and on Sunday afternoon, 2000 winners Swing Kids will play against Wiggles.

"Having reached its fourth consecutive year, the Beach Soccer Tour goes to prove the high interest this sport is generating in Malta," Alex Spiteri, representing organisers Sports Target said.

"Having our national team playing in the European Beach Soccer Golden League in Sicily in the near future will further increase its international appeal."

Ivan Filletti, brand executive for main sponsors Cisk Export, said: "The fact that this is the fourth edition we are sponsoring, shows our commitment towards beach soccer."

As in previous editions, this year's winning team will automatically participate in the Dutch Beach Soccer Championships, played on the Scheveningen beach coast.

Meanwhile, another beach sport, Footvolley, was played on June 8. The winners participated in the Footvolley International Cup in Rimini, Italy. Maltese pair, Ivan Bonello and John Grima, lost in the quarter-finals against eventual winners from Italy.

Various teams from Europe and South America took part in the competition.

Another Footvolley tournament is planned for August. Information can be obtained from www.beachsoccer.com.mt.