Maltese Lieutenant Completes 12 Week Course In USA

Maltese Lieutenant Completes 12 Week Course In USA
May 6 2025 Share

Lieutenant Norville Paul Micallef successfully completed a 12 week intensive course in the United States, titled the International Maritime Officer Course (IMOC).

During the course he was designated Class Leader for the entire course and was presented with a token on graduation day.

‘This prestigious program is specifically designed for international officers, equipping them with advanced skills in Search and Rescue, Maritime Law Enforcement, Marine Safety, and Crisis Command & Control.’

Well done Norville!

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Over 850 Maltese Books In New Libraries Around The Globe

Over 850 Maltese Books In New Libraries Around The Globe
May 6 2025 Share

Over 850 Maltese books are being sent to Australia, Canada, the UK, the US, Italy, and Belgium as part of a new initiative to establish libraries for Maltese communities abroad.

This project is spearheaded by the Directorate for Consular Services and Maltese Living Abroad within the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, in collaboration with Ċentru tal-Ilsien Malti and other national bodies, including Malta Libraries and the National Literacy Agency. The aim is to promote the Maltese language and culture among diaspora communities.

The first shipment has already reached the Maltese Embassy in Brussels, with additional deliveries on the way to other diplomatic missions.

The libraries will feature a broad selection of books catering to all ages and interests, including Maltese comics, children’s stories, and English-language publications about Malta’s heritage to ensure accessibility for non-Maltese speakers.

A formal agreement was signed to solidify the partnership between the Directorate and Ċentru tal-Ilsien Malti. This will enable ongoing linguistic support and further initiatives aimed at promoting the Maltese language overseas.

Notable contributions include the Maltese for Foreigners series by Dr Charles Daniel Saliba and the Karamellu tar-Raħal t’Isfel series by author Charles Buttigieg.

These libraries will support the educational and cultural activities of Maltese embassies, fostering cultural exchange and offering diaspora communities and embassy visitors a deeper connection to Malta’s linguistic and cultural heritage.

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Finalists For MFPA Awards 2025 Revealed

Finalists For MFPA Awards 2025 Revealed
May 6 2025 Share

The countdown has begun for the highly anticipated 2025 MFPA Awards, set to take place on 12 May at the Radisson Blu Golden Sands Resort.

This annual flagship event will celebrate the standout performers of the 2024–25 football season across 36 award categories.

Highlights include the MFPA Best XI for both men and women, the prestigious MFPA Men’s and Women’s Best Player awards, and the MFPA Merit Award, which honours a former player or football figure with an outstanding career.

Floriana and Sliema Wanderers lead the men’s Best XI nominations with five each, while Swieqi United and Mġarr United dominate the women’s categories after their strong domestic campaigns.

Finalists for the Best Player awards will be revealed on the night. Notably, last year’s winners, Luke Montebello and Marta Grosso, are not among this year’s contenders.

Young talent will also be recognised, with three nominees each for the MFPA Best Men’s and Women’s Young Player awards. Last year’s winners, Carlo Zammit Lonardelli and Nicole Sciberras, are again in the running.

Challenge League and Amateur League players will be honoured, with new awards introduced for the National Amateur League 2 Best Player and the Best Women’s League Coach — a step toward full parity between men’s and women’s football recognition.

MFPA General Secretary Carlo Mamo praised the growth of the event and the strong voter turnout, reaffirming the MFPA’s commitment to celebrating football excellence. Final preparations are underway for what promises to be another memorable celebration.

THE FINAL NOMINEES OF THE MFPA AWARDS 2025

MFPA MEN’S BEST XI (1-4-3-3)

Goalkeepers: Emeka Kelvin Agu (Sliema Wanderers), Henry Bonello (Ħamrun Spartans).

Left-Backs: Leandro Aguirre (Marsaxlokk), Myles Beerman (Sliema Wanderers).

Right-Backs: Joseph Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana).

Centre-Backs: Gustavo Alcino (Sliema Wanderers), Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers), Oualid El Hasni (Floriana), Gabriel Mentz (Gżira United).

Midfielders: Prince Afriyie (Mosta), Khevin Fraga (Hibernians), Mattias Garcia (Floriana) Bjorn Kristensen (Hibernians), Alexander Satariano (Birkirkara), Dunstan Vella (Floriana).

Forwards: Thaylor Aldama (Gżira United), Mohamed Awad (Sliema Wanderers), Alex Gomes (Marsaxlokk), Maxuell Maia (Birkirkara), Yuri Messias (Marsaxlokk), Franklin Sasere (Floriana).

MFPA MEN’S BEST PLAYER 

All the candidates for the MFPA Men’s Best XI are nominated.

MFPA MEN’S BEST YOUNG PLAYER 

Alexander Satariano (Birkirkara), Sven Xerri (Ħamrun Spartans), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana).

MFPA BEST COACH

Darren Abdilla (Floriana), Stefano De Angelis (Birkirkara), Paul Zammit (Sliema Wanderers).

MFPA WOMEN’S BEST XI (1-4-3-3)

Goalkeepers: Patricia Araujo Da Silva (Swieqi United), Patricia Ebejer (Mġarr United).

Left-Backs: Yanina Mendez (Mġarr United), Emma Xuereb (Swieqi United).

Right-backs: Rebecca Bajada (Mġarr United), Jade Schembri (Swieqi United).

Centre-Backs: Leanne Cefai (Mġarr United), Natalee Grace Geren (Hibernians), Rafanny Andreina Mendoza (Swieqi United), Charlene Zammit (Birkirkara).

Midfielders: Luana Cabral (Birkirkara), Michaela Cachia (Swieqi United), Tourki Chaimaa (San Ġwann), Amber Grech (Mġarr United), Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians), Shona Zammit (Swieqi United).

Forwards: Karima Abdulai (Swieqi United), Salamatu Abdulai (Swieqi United), Erica Bispo (Birkirkara), Alexis Veronica Espitia (Hibernians), Hailey Russell (San Ġwann), Valeria Villegas Caly (Mġarr United).

MFPA WOMEN’S BEST PLAYER 

All the candidates for the MFPA Women’s Best XI are nominated.

MFPA WOMEN’S BEST YOUNG PLAYER 

Michaela Cachia (Swieqi United), Yulya Carella (Mġarr United), Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians).

MFPA WOMEN’S BEST COACH 

Kenneth Costantino (Hibernians), Dorianne Theuma (Swieqi United), Ryan Vella (Mġarr United).

MFPA CHALLENGE LEAGUE

Goalkeepers: Timothy Aquilina (Valletta), Reeves Cini (Pietà Hotspurs), Andreas Vella (Tarxien Rainbows).

Defenders: Darren Borg (Żurrieq), Neil Micallef (Valletta), Juan Pablo Morales (Swieqi United).

Midfielders: Jake Azzopardi (Valletta), Thomas Melillo (Pietà Hotspurs), Brandon Paiber (Valletta).

Forwards: Sulahmana Bah (Żurrieq), Andrei Ciolacu (Valletta), Duvan Torres (Żebbuġ Rangers)

MFPA BEST OVERALL CHALLENGE LEAGUE PLAYER

The candidates in the four Challenge League categories are nominated.

MFPA BEST AMATEUR LEAGUE 1 PLAYER

Julian Azzopardi (Birżebbuġa St Peter’s), Godwin Emmanuel (Vittoriosa Stars), Ricardo Velasquez (San Ġwann).

MFPA BEST AMATEUR LEAGUE 2 PLAYER

Rondinely Monteiro (Victoria Hotspurs), Andres Tenorio (Mqabba), Timothy Thomas (Kalkara).

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Ħamrun Spartans and Birkirkara to face off in the Championship Final on Saturday, 10th May, at 18:00PM

Ħamrun Spartans and Birkirkara to face off in the Championship Final on Saturday, 10th May, at 18-00
May 6 2025 Share

Ħamrun Spartans and Birkirkara to face off in the Championship Final on Saturday, 10th May, at 18:00 at the National Stadium in Ta’ Qali.

The play-off for the 3rd place is set for Friday, 9th May, with Sliema Wanderers facing Floriana at 20:30, to be held at Tony Bezzina Stadium.

The relegation play-off is scheduled for Friday, 9th May, with Melita and Naxxar Lions set to meet at Tony Bezzina Stadium at 18:15.

Are you excited for these matches?

#MaltaDaily