The BOV National League draws for season 2012-13 were made amid expectations of interesting and keenly-fought competitions involving 53 member clubs in the four divisions as well as the 16 women’s teams in the first and second divisions. BOV Chief Officer Operations Michael Galea assisted by Bjorn Vassallo, MFA Chief Executive Officer, in the drawing of fixtures, the first of which in the Premier league will be between Birkirkara and newly promoted Melita. In the words of the association’s CEO the expansion the previous season of the top division in the National League did not only bring about keener competition but also presented an opportunity for younger players to have the necessary exposure of top class football with the attendant benefits of gaining experience. He also made reference to the emotions of Premier League Football, stressing that this is a vital ingredient in the game.Vassallo started by thanking the Bank of Valletta for their co-operation through this sponsorship which has now entered its eighth season. This connection has also brought about innovative initiatives by the BOV, all aimed for the benefit of clubs and the public. The BOV Premier League has the potential of providing financial backing for the clubs, a fact which was mentioned when the CEO referred to the sound financial position of all member clubs during the last season.‘The Association wants to be competitive with other entities at the level of marketing their product. This can be achieved with sound policies based on modern concepts’, he remarked.The association’s CEO ended by saying that the MFA is very pleased that the main sponsors of the National League are showing so much drive and enthusiasm in supporting local football as well as providing incentives from which the public can benefit. Michael Galea thanked Bjorn Vassallo for the work being undertaken to improve the game in all spheres of activity, while stating that on behalf of the Bank he was pleased with this sponsorship which has now reached its eighth season. The Bank wants to set high standards for the game to develop further on technical and professional lines.The BOV Chief Officer Operations spoke about his bank’s commitment to sustain projects for the benefit of society. At this point he announced the launching of a limited edition of BOV Premier League Mastercard Prepaid Card with a denomination of €150. This card is ideal as a gift, to make payments online and when travelling abroad, besides offering other advantages.A good number of club committee members and a number of journalists were present for the draws held at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, Floriana.Also present on the panel to explain details of the draws was Rodney Pisani, MFA Deputy General Secretary responsible for fixtures. The 2012/13 is set to kick off with the BOV Super Cup Final between Champions Valletta and U*BET F.A. Trophy winners Hibernians, which is scheduled for the 3rd August 2012.The BOV Premier League will kick-off on 17th August .All Matchday 1 fixtures for the different categories are listed below
BOV Premier League 1st Matches to be played on 17th August 2012 Matchday 1B’KARAvsMELITAMatchday 1HAMRUN S.vsBALZANMatchday 1RABAT A.vsQORMIMatchday 1SLIEMA W.vsFLORIANAMatchday 1HIBERNIANSvsMOSTAMatchday 1VALLETTAvsTARXIEN R. BOV First Division 1st Matches to be played on 14th September 2012 Matchday 1B’BUGIA S.P.vsZEJTUN C.Matchday 1MQABBAvsST ANDREWS L.Matchday 1M’XLOKKvsGZIRA UTD.Matchday 1GUDJA UTD.vsLIJA ATH.Matchday 1PIETA H.vsDINGLI S.Matchday 1NAXXAR L.vsVITTORIOSA S. BOV Second Division 1st Matches to be played on 14th September 2012 Matchday 1GHARGHURvsSAN GWANNMatchday 1ST GEORGESvsFGURA UTDMatchday 1ZURRIEQvsMSIDA S.J.Matchday 1ST PATRICKvsPEMBROKE ATH.Matchday 1KIRKOP UTD.vsSIGGIEWIMatchday 1ZEBBUG R.vsST VENERA L.Matchday 1MELLIEHAvsMGARR UTD. BOV Third Division 1st Matches to be played on 14th September 2012 Matchday 1SWIEQI UTD.vsSTA LUCIAMatchday 1MARSAvsSIRENSMatchday 1SENGLEA ATH.vsMARSASKALAMatchday 1TA’ XBIEXvsGHAXAQMatchday 1QRENDIvsXGHAJRA T.Matchday 1LUQA S.A.vsATTARDMatchday 1KALKARAvsMTRAFAMDINA K. bye BOV Women’s First Division 1st Matches to be played on 18th September 2012 Matchday 1TARXIEN R.vsMOSTAMatchday 1MGARR UTD.vsGOZOMatchday 1HAMRUN S.vsB’KARAMatchday 1PEMBROKE ATHvsHIBERNIANS BOV Women’s Second Division 1st Matches to be played on 18th September 2012 Matchday 1KIRKOP UTDvsVITTORIOSA S.Matchday 1NAXXAR L.vsMELITAMatchday 1ST VENERA Y.B.vsFGURA UTD.Matchday 1LIJA/IKLINvsRAIDERS (LUXOL)