ADDRESS BY THE HON. DR LOUIS GALEA, MINISTER OF EDUCATION, AT A RECEPTION HELD ON THE OCCASION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE MALTA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION.

ADDRESS BY THE HON. DR LOUIS GALEA, MINISTER OF EDUCATION, AT A RECEPTION HELD ON THE OCCASION OF THE 100^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE MALTA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION HELD AT THE PALACE VALLETTA

I am delighted to address such a distinguished gathering whose interests, in varying degrees are centred round the global game of football. And this certainly also includes H.E. Prof. Guido de Marco, the President of Malta, who at one time, he too, was for a number of years, the president of one of our prominent local clubs – Hamrun Spartans.

My hearty congratulations go to our own Malta Football Association on this auspicious occasion of its first centenary. All Malta is proud that this centenary actually falls four years before the foundation of FIFA in 1904!

A lot of water has run under the bridge since that memorable date a hundred years ago and it speaks volumes of the character and tenacity of the gentlemen who, throughout the years, have led the Association through thick and thin, including two world wars.

I salute all past, and the present President of the Association and their hard working committees who carried the Game forward, sometimes against heavy odds.

True, Malta had a head start through the presence of the British servicemen who helped in no small measure to establish and spread the sport of football throughout these islands. Despite our size and limitations, the Maltese were quick to learn and adapt. The end of the 19^th century saw the emergence of the first two Maltese clubs – St George's of Cospicua and Floriana.

Today, I am pleased to say, our Football Association plays a very important role both as a member of FIFA as well as UEFA. Dr Joseph Mifsud, our present President sits on both the Executive Committees of the world and the European Bodies, while a number of other officials form part of various sub committees. Moreover, we have referees on the FIFA panel and one of them Emmanuel Zammit, received the signal honour of officiating as Assistant referee in the last edition of the World Cup finals and has been called again to do duty during the forthcoming EURO 2000.

A most worthy and significant word of praise goes to Mr Joseph Blatter, President of FIFA and to Mr Lennart Johansson President of UEFA and indeed to all those in high office and their predecessors throughout the world, who have worked incessantly to see the game grow and flourish throughout the world at various levels and who are doing everything in their power to instill the love of football among the peoples of the world, no matter of their believes, colour or creed. No wonder, then, that FIFA today has more members than the United Nations. May it continue on its path to more successes.

The motto adopted by FIFA "For the Good of the Game" is a very significant one indeed and Malta joins in the world wide efforts for the betterment not only of the skills and performances by the various teams on the field of play, but also, and more significantly, so that football (and indeed all other sport) is played in the true spirit of sportsmanship.

Unfortunately however the ugly head of violence and unruly conduct by a small minority, on and off the pitch as was seen lately both locally and overseas dents and scars the sport to the extent of giving it a bad name, scaring the crowds away and involving heavy security measures fit for a pitched battle rather than for a game of football.

It is here, as Minister of Education, which naturally includes culture and sport, that one of my uppermost responsibilities is to see that our teachers and coaches impart to our children and youths, not only the skills and knowledge of the game, but above all the sporting behaviour. We insist that the football pitch and the gyms must be the ‘classrooms' where our youths are taught above all else to become useful citizens of our Nation. Some might progress to represent their town or village and perhaps also Malta; but the most important lesson to be taught is that of character and gentlemanly behaviour. This is what football, and indeed all sport, is all about.

My Government is committed to build a healthy nation through sport. More facilities are being constructed to be put at the disposal of the various clubs and associations as well as to the general public. In a few days' time, established sports venues and amenities as well as other lands for building of new premises will be passed on to various sports entities – from village clubs to national Associations.

Moreover, the Government run and sponsors Skolasport (The Sports School) embracing thousands of schoolchildren and youths under qualified coaches. This activity continues to flourish throughout the year giving one and all the opportunity to learn a favourite sport both in winter and summer.

Government encourages and helps financially Malta's participation in international tournaments both here and abroad as this gives our youths the opportunity to brush shoulders against foreign opposition thus gauging their strengths and weaknesses for further improvement.

Turning to Saturday's match, the only other previous occasion when Malta's ‘David' took on England's ‘Goliath' in Malta was in a European Nations' Cup match way back in February 1971. That match caught the imagination of the whole island. It was played in front of a record crowd with spectators spilling also on the surrounding track. At the end of the match, the Maltese players left the pitch, with their heads held high, being beaten by a much stronger and quoted opponent by the narrowest of margins.

I augur that Saturday's match will provide an entertaining fare to thrill the thousands who are expected to throng the National Stadium. May the better team win; but no one will begrudge me for wishing for a ‘David' upset versus the mighty ‘Goliath'.