• Training and everything needed is done under one roof
• Described as a project that made a big difference in the players’ preparation
The investment in the National Football Centre in Ta’ Qali is reaping the rewards for the players and technical team of the Maltese national team as they have everything they need under one roof to prepare before an important match like Sunday’s against Andorra.
This, in their words, was during a visit made by Prime Minister Robert Abela and Minister for Education and Sports Byron Camilleri to the National Football Centre in Ta’ Qali, while the squad was training in preparation for next Sunday.
During the visit, the Prime Minister and Minister Camilleri observed part of the training session and spoke to the national team coach, technical staff and players, along with the Malta Football Association administration. They were given an explanation of how the Centre has transformed the way the team prepares itself day to day since it was inaugurated.
The coach and players highlighted several benefits that the Centre is bringing to the national team:
• Everything under one roof: the training grounds, gymnasium, physiotherapy facilities and recovery areas are all located in the same location, reducing travel time which makes more focused training possible.
• Sports science support: the Centre’s sports science laboratories allow staff to monitor physical fitness, training load and performance, while tailoring preparation to the needs of each player.
• Faster recovery and more prevention: the dedicated physiotherapy clinic and recovery areas help players recover between sessions and between games, something crucial during the intensive periods of international play.
• Better tactical preparation: meeting rooms and presentation spaces allow technical staff to conduct video analysis and tactical preparation sessions in the same center.
• Professional environment: Built to the highest UEFA standards, the Centre provides Maltese players with an environment similar to that of the countries they compete with. Players said this helps boost both their confidence and morale.
Henry Bonello, the goalkeeper of the Maltese national team, said that such a complex, apart from the facilities it offers, also facilitates accessibility to these same facilities as everything is gathered under one roof. The coach of the national team, Emilio De Leo, said that this type of investment also helped to unite the team because every member at any moment is under one roof. Meanwhile, the President of the Malta Football Association, Bjorn Vassallo, said that now the association can look forward to more ambitious projects including that of the national stadium project.
Prime Minister Robert Abela said, “The National Football Centre was built to give our national teams the best possible support, and it is encouraging to hear from the players themselves that it is making a real difference. Investing in facilities of this level is an investment in our talent, which makes us proud. On Sunday, the whole country will be behind the team in the game against Andorra.”
Minister Byron Camilleri said, “Today we saw with our own eyes what this investment means for our national team. When the coach and players tell us that the Centre is helping them prepare better, recover faster and train in a professional environment, this confirms that we have made the right choice. Our commitment is to continue investing in sport so that our athletes have every opportunity to compete at their best, from the grassroots to the national team.”
The National Football Centre was largely financed through the National Development and Social Fund (NDSF), with the support of a loan from the Malta Development Bank (MDB). The Centre serves as the technical and logistical base for all of Malta’s national teams and includes a Category 1 stadium, sports science laboratories, a physiotherapy clinic, a gymnasium, recovery areas, meeting rooms and presentation spaces.
Photos (OPM)
