MFA to celebrate 60 years of international football
The Malta Football Association (MFA) is this year celebrating 60 years of international football as it coincides with the first ever match for the Maltese national team.
It was on 24 February 1957 that Malta played against Austria at the Empire Stadium in Gzira with the locals losing 3-2, scoring two late goals through Sammy Nicholl and Tony Cauchi after falling 3-0 behind. The match was played in front of a packed stadium.
Addressing a news conference yesterday, Dr Matthew Paris, MFA vice president, said the association was not just celebrating the match played on that day. “We are celebrating 60 years of international football on this island. It is a big milestone for local football and it represents several success stories for players and administrators of the local game,” he said.
He went on to say that the MFA is planning a series of activities over the coming months, starting with a reception in honour of the surviving members of the Malta team who played in that historic match.
Dr Paris, who is co-ordinating the 60th anniversary celebrations, said this reception will be held next Friday. “Among the guests there will be those surviving players, among them, Lolly Debattista, Victor Scerri, Joe Cini, Joe Cilia, Lolly Borg, Tony Cauchi, Salvinu Schembri and Sammy Nicholl. Mosta of them have confirmed they will be present,” said Dr Paris.
The MFA vice president added that exclusive mementoes and gifts commemorating this anniversary will be presented to the veteran heroes by MFA President Norman Darmanin Demajo and secretary general Dr Angelo Chetcuti. The line-up It is well to note that the following were selected to start that match against Austria:
V. Scerri, G. Bonnici, L. Debattista, A. Calleja, J. Cilia, S. Schembri, J. Cini, S. Nicholl, T. Cauchi, L. Borg, P. Demanuele. George Jones, who is now residing in Australia, formed part of the squad as a substitute. The team manager was Joe A. Griffiths.
The MFA yesterday also unveiled a logo for the occasion and Dr Paris went on to reveal that a video feature of that match in 1957 is to be shown for the first time during next Friday’s social event at Ta’ Qali.
Another activity will be the publication of a commemorative publication, currently being compiled by the MFA Communications Office. There will also be visits by various members of the national teams’ squads to hospitals and children’s homes under the Association’s Football for Life programme.
The main theme for this season’s MFA Awards, which will be held in May, will be ‘60 years of international football’.
Also giving their contribution to this anniversary commemoration, apart from Dr Paris, are Norman Darmanin Demajo, Frans Tabone, Norman Saliba, Kevin Azzopardi, Mark Attard Louis Micallef and Joe Cassar.