The Malta Football Coaches Association (MFCA) will be marking its 50th year since inception with a series of activities next month.

The highlight of the celebrations will be the visit of renowned Italian coach Renzo Ulivieri. He will be conducting a three-day seminar for Maltese coaches at St Aloysius College complex between September 4 and 6.

The much-travelled Ulivieri was coach of various popular Italian Serie A clubs including Sampdoria, Torino, Bologna and Napoli.

At present, he is occupying the post of head of the Italian football coaches federation.

The MFCA was founded by former national team coach Joe Griffiths in 1959. During a press briefing earlier this week association president Lolly Aquilina told those present that it was thanks to Griffiths that the organisation came to be.

"It all started with a coaching course for teachers way back in 1957," he said.

"The initiative was undertaken jointly by the Malta FA and the Education Department and Griffiths was the mastermind behind it. Two years later Griffiths founded the MFCA and all its members were qualified coaches.

"The organisation flourished since those early days. We organise regular courses and today the MFCA is fully recognised by the Malta FA and the Alliance of European Football Coaches (AEFCA) on the continental scene."

Anthony P. Scicluna is one of the founding members of the MFCA.

He is still active within the organisation's fold and this week he presented a commemorative publication to mark the association's highlights along the years.

Meanwhile, the 50th year programme got under way earlier this month with an instructional meeting for coaches led by Fr Hilary Tagliaferro. Next week the association will be visiting charity institutions and donate sports goods to young children.