Football legends Cannavaro and Vieri among distinguished guests
FIFA president Gianni Infantino unveiled Malta’s first-ever FIFA Arena mini-football pitch, at Maria Regina College Primary School in St Paul’s Bay, in the presence of football legends Christian Vieri and Fabio Cannavaro on Monday morning.
The FIFA Arena project is a global FIFA initiative launched by Infantino with the aim of building 1,000 mini-football pitches in different communities worldwide. It seeks to provide safe, inclusive spaces for children to play, learn, and grow, while also promoting football development and education.
Maria Regina College St Paul’s Bay Primary School was chosen as the location due to the diversity present at the school, with it having a population of around 700 children from around 51 varied nationalities.
Also present for the inauguration was MFA president Bjorn Vassallo, Minister for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation Clifton Grima, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Works Omar Farrugia, Maria Regina College Primary Head of School Victoria Spiteri, and St Paul’s Bay Mayor Censu Galea.
Speaking during the event, Infantino remarked that it is a pleasure for him to be in the school and participate in the inauguration of the inauguration of the FIFA Arena mini-pitch, which he described as a “key launch in the development of this project, which coincides with the Malta FA’s 125th anniversary.”
“FIFA places youth at the heart of the development of football, and the launch of the FIFA Arena in Malta will help change the lives of children, providing a safe space in which to learn, play and grow,” he said.
“The vision of FIFA Arena globally is to positively engage millions of young girls and boys around the world, fostering inclusion and using football as a powerful tool for social change.
“I am grateful to the Malta FA, everyone at Maria Regina College Primary School, as well as all local stakeholders who are partnering with us to provide hope and put smiles on the faces of young people.”
On his part, MFA chief Vassallo described the event as a special occasion during the governing body’s 125th anniversary celebrations.
“We are very happy that for the first time since the FIFA Arena projects were introduced, and the FIFA president is physically attending this inauguration. This makes this day even more special for the Malta FA since everything is happening in the year of the 125th Anniversary of the foundation of our association.”
He added that grassroots have always been at the top of the Malta FA’s agenda. Focusing on the new mini pitch more specifically, he remarked that it will give many children the opportunity to play football, integrate, and also put down barriers.
Minister Clifton Grima said: “Today’s inauguration of Malta’s first FIFA Arena is a proud moment for our education and sports community. By investing in high-quality facilities within our schools, we are giving every child the chance to discover the joy of sport, to learn the values of teamwork and respect, and to grow in an inclusive environment.
“Together, we are ensuring that sport continues to inspire, unite, and empower the next generation.”
The event concluded with a short football match between children to give them the opportunity to enjoy the new facilities for the first time.
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