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GFA ANNUAL PRESENTATION DINNER

JOE CORDINA RESIGNS FROM GFA PRESIDENT

HONORS WON BY INDIVIDUAL 2007/08

HONORS WON BY CLUBS 2007/08

The GFA ended the football season 2007/2008 with the Annual Presentation Dinner held at the Hotel Calypso in Marsalforn on June 14, 2008. This was the last official occasion for GFA President Joe Cordina who resigned from the post after seven years at the helm of the Gozo Football Association.

Mr Cordina announced his resignation during the annual presentation dinner that the GFA organises at the end of the season. During the same evening, various officials and distinguished guest expressed appreciation for his contributions to the football in Gozo during the past years.

Joe Cordina started his speech by reminding of the new initiatives taken by the GFA during this season particularly the first ever female football championship, which took place successfully although at the beginning there were some scepticism. He called on the clubs that did not participate in this first championship to make an effort so that each locality will have its female football team. The president also referred to the new television programme which is broadcasted weekly on E22, which became possible through great efforts by the GFA to increase the exposure of gozitan football nationwide. The president remarked that GFGA Review was a great success as on the same lines he added that the GFA website is considered among the best sport websites in the Maltese islands.

The GFA re-organised the Youth FA as from this season, where the competitive football was reduced for the younger categories but were replaced with more tournaments and sports festivals. Joe Cordina pointed out the success registered by the Gozitan U/14 team that took part in Section C of the Malta FA campaign. This tam obtained excellent results in the championship and also encouraging results in an international tournament held in Spain. The president thanks Saviour Bajada from the Gozo Youth FA for his contribution to the association. Joe Cordina also praised Gozo FC’s success in the MFA BOV Third Division campaign, which was dominated by the Gozitan team and obtained promotion without conceding a defeat. The president praised everyone involved with this team, particularly the officials Joseph Portelli, Charlie Calleja, Joe Camilleri and Mario Camilleri. The president praised also the general secretary of the GFA for his continuous work at the administration which is carried out with great dedication.

Joe Cordina said that everything has to come to an end and he decided to end as president of the GFA after consulting with his family and due to his involvement in various other commitments. He referred briefly to his work carried out at the association during the past years. He mentioned the improvements in the administration of the association, the project of flood-lights at the Gozo Stadium and other work in preparation for the new dressing rooms at the Gozo Stadium. He said that although there is always room for improvement, the GFA has excellent relations with the Malta Football Association and the government.

He said that in these circumstances it is the right moment to hand over the leadership of the GFA to another person. The president stated that his contribution was on voluntary basis and his main aim was to help the Gozitan clubs to improve and to see also an improvement for Gozo. He thanked all his colleagues who form part of the GFA. He also thanked the MFA, and the main sponsors Melita Digital, Gozo Channel, APS Bank and BOV. The president also expressed appreciation to the sports journalists, the referees, the police, the Ministry for Gozo, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Sports, the employees at the Gozo Stadium and all the clubs for their support. In conclusion the president thanked his family for the patience and sacrifice that they had to make because of his commitments during the past seven years.

The Minister for Gozo Hon. Giovanna Debono in her speech stated that it is with great pleasure to be present for the Annual Presentation Dinner of the GFA where everyone is so cheerful for those who were being rewarded. The minister said that the sport of football has a great advantage because it shows how persons work as a team in a collective effort to achieve the best results. Hon. Debono stated that her ministry helps the sector from time to time and in different ways through improvement of facilities and announced that in the coming weeks work will commence on the building of new dressing rooms to upgrade the Gozo Stadium. Minister Debono mentioned also that the new development at the Gozo Stadium will include new offices. Other government aid to the football sector in Gozo is being made through the creation of more pitches in different localities in Gozo, something which will undoubtedly increase the interest among the children and youths. The minister referred to the competitions that were well contested during the past season and congratulated those teams who managed to win an honour. The minister praised the GFA for its initiative to start a regular television programme and all the GFA officials, particularly president Joe Cordina who was ending his experience at the helm of the association. The minister wished that the new administration of the GFA will continue to work for the improvement of the sport in Gozo.

Another message was delivered by MFA vice-president Carmelo Bartolo, who expressed his satisfaction to be resent for this occasion organised by the GFA, especially because the MFA considers the Gozitan association as an important branch within its ranks. Carmelo Bartolo stated that he is of the opinion that the football in Gozo is making great improvements in a short time and said that the MFA is always ready to continue helping in the development of infrastructure of the facilities in Gozo. The vice-president referred to the contribution that the MFA is making in the upgrading of the facilities at Sannat Ground. Carmelo Bartolo also thanked outgoing president Joe Cordina for his worked delivered during the past years.

Gozo FC president Joseph Portelli delivered a short speech where he congratulate all the Gozo FC players, coach and the committee members for the professional work, carried out with dedication, that led to their success in the MFA BOV Division III. Gozo FC earned promotion without conceding a defeat. The Gozo FC president also congratulated the Youth U/14 team that was as much successful at national level. Joseph Portelli wishes that Gozo FC continues to be more successful in the future.

Chris Cachia, Sales Manager of Melita Sports a main sponsor of the association, referred to the collaboration with the Gozitan association, and said that the agreement between the two entities is being extended, especially when considering the success of the transmission of matches from the Onvol Division I on the Melita Sports Channels every Thursday. Chris Cachia said that a large number of viewers follow these matches through Melita Sports and congratulated Philip Cassar and Joe Bajada, who are responsible for these matches, for their professional product. He encouraged more people to register with Melita Cable Sports channels to follow a wide range of sports. Chris Cachia congratulated all those who had a successful season and wished the best for the next season.

During the presentation dinner various clubs and teams were rewarded for the success during the season 2007-2008. Apart from individual and team honours the GFA rewarded outgoing president Joe Cordina for his contribution during the past years, the team of television programme GFA Review, which is broadcasted once a week on E22, made up of Joe Bajada, Philip Cassar, Mark Cini, Reuben Cassar, Charline Spiteri and Ediana Attard. Joe Bajada was also presented with memento as appreciation for his contribution as the co-ordinator for Gozo for the Kunsill Malti ghall-iSport and his dedication to organise Sports Festivals together with the GFA which were attended by a large number of children from the Gozitan Nurseries.