The Malta Football Association is supporting the national campaign to raise further awareness against domestic violence. The 16 days of awareness and activism against domestic violence is spearheaded by Dr Lydia Abela, the wife of the Prime Minister who attended the launch of a series of football-related initiatives in conjunction with the ongoing campaign. Today’s event, held at the Trophies Lounge, featured the participation of Malta women’s national team players Alishia Sultana, Martina Borg and Nicole Sciberras, together with coach Mark Gatt and Pierre Brincat, the Director of Women’s Football. Dr Abela expressed her appreciation for the Malta FA’s support for this campaign, stressing that football is a very powerful medium to convey a strong message against domestic violence. Dr Abela, who was greeted by Malta FA Senior Vice-President Ludovico Micallef, thanked the Malta women’s national team for endorsing this campaign, congratulating them for their performances and victories in their final two UEFA Women’s EURO away qualifiers against Georgia (4-0) and Israel (2-0). “I want to convey my heartfelt congratulations for your achievements as you have made us really proud,” Dr Abela said. Peter Busuttil, from the Malta FA’s Football Social Responsibility Department, said that the Association’s co-ordinates several social responsibility projects and initiatives. The campaign against domestic violence will come into focus before Sunday’s derby between Valletta and Floriana, at the National Stadium, which will be broadcast live on television. Players from both teams and match officials will display orange t-shirts with the message ‘It’s not OK’ in reference to domestic and family violence.

Source: mfa.com.mt