Champions Valletta were handed a testing start to their title defence when the draws of the BOV Premier League were held yesterday at the MFA Centenary Hall, Ta' Qali.
Valletta, who claimed their 19th league title last May, face three possible rivals for the crown in their opening three matches. They kick off their campaign against Sliema Wanderers in the weekend of August 23/24 before they take on Marsaxlokk, the 2007/08 runners-up, and Hibernians in their next two matches.
Marsaxlokk start with a match against newly-promoted Qormi while FA Trophy winners Birkirkara take on the other newcomers, Tarxien, in their opening fixture.
The other matches to complete the opening round of matches are: Floriana vs Ħamrun Spartans and Hibernians vs Msida St Joseph.
The 2008-09 Premier League has retained the same format as in previous years with the ten teams in the championship facing each other twice in the first phase and the top six qualify for the Championship Pool. The remaining four teams figure in the Relegation Pool.
The league competition comes to a close on May 24, 2009.
The first honour of the 2008-09 season was assigned last week when Birkirkara won the Euro Challenge Cup. The next competition in line is the Super Cup which will be contested by Valletta and Birkirkara on Friday, August 8.
The BOV Division One league will start a few weeks later than usual after it was announced yesterday that the 2008-09 championship will get underway on November 8.
Pietà Hotspurs and Mqabba, the two teams relegated from the Premier League last season, open up against San Ġwann and Mosta respectively.
The Division Two championship will kick off on September 27 and comes to a close on May 10, 2009.
The 19 teams forming the Third Division have again been split into two sections with the first matches penciled in for September 26.
Attendances increase
MFA president Joe Mifsud described the 2007-08 campaign as a success from all aspects. He remarked that interest in the Premier League has increased considerably and also spoke about the projects being carried out by the association to improve facilities at the National Stadium.
"We are pleasantly surprised with how things developed last season," Dr Mifsud said.
"In my opinion it was an interesting season with all teams contributing to a very tense and hard-fought championship.
"Interest in the local leagues grew significantly with overall crowd attendances registering a marked increase of 34,000 when compared to the previous season. The Premier League alone registered a rise of 19,000.
"We intend to continue improving facilities and once the works in the dressing rooms and the seating area in the south and north stands are ready, it is planned that the media area will also be upgraded."
Dr Mifsud said TV transmissions did not keep spectators away from the stadium.
"The rise in attendances in the Premier League takes more significance when one considers that last year we had several top-flight matches that were screened live on Melita Sports while Smash TV also contributed with a series of delayed transmissions of some of the matches," he said.
"Next season, both Melita Sports and Smash TV will continue to broadcast Premier League matches. Apart from that, the MFA is in discussions with another local station to start screening Division One matches in delayed format."
Kick-Off: The 2008/09 Division One championship starts on November 8 and comes to a close on May 17, 2009.
Opening programme: Vittoriosa Stars vs Dingli Swallows; Mosta vs Mqabba; St Patrick vs Rabat Ajax; St George's vs Senglea Athletic; Pietà Hotspurs vs San Ġwann.
Division two (opening programme): Gozo FC vs St Andrew's; Melita vs Sta Venera; Naxxar vs Mellieħa; Marsa vs Żebbuġ Rangers; Mġarr vs Lija; Birżebbuġa vs Balzan Youths.
Division three (opening programme): Section A - Sirens vs Kalkara; Fgura vs Xgħajra; Qrendi vs Gudja; Mdina vs Għargħur; Għaxaq vs Luqa. Section B - Mtarfa vs Gżira; Żurrieq vs Siġġiewi; Attard vs Kirkop; Żejtun vs Sta Luċija. Bye - Pembroke. First matches: September 26.