Club President's address during the AGM 2013

by Joseph Zammit - 14th June 2013

It is a big honour for me to address this meeting as the president of the Champions of Malta, not only of the Men but also of the Women's league. It is a dream of every president that runs a Club, to win the biggest local honour and although I already formed part of the administration that won previous Championships, I must admit that this was the most memorable.

There are a lot of important factors why I am saying this. First of all, this was the most difficult Championship out of the four won. Secondly, because at the beginning of the season, everyone said that there were eleven teams that could come in the second place because there was only one team that could win the Championship.

However, we showed that to win the Championship, the most important ingredients are unity, to have heart, and above all, to have the players that, against all odds, showed maturity that surprised all those who follow local football. A true strength of tigers who did not fear the lion, and dominated him.

A very important factor for this success, without any doubt, was all those forming part with me in the administration and in the technical management. I would like to thank from my heart these gentlemen that are next to me for fighting the battle with me every day of the year, and as well the technical staff for their dedication they showed to arrive for this success.

Success does not come with miracles, but with hard and stressful work. We had a year without any breaks, a year of hard work which began in the first days after the previous season ended. Besides the usual work of preparations of the squad for contracting players, this year we had the important event of the organization of the Women's UEFA Champions League that was organised for the first time ever by a Maltese club.

It was an intense organisation for this Club but we did it with flying colours, thanks to the full commitment of the administration of the club and some helpers that worked hard throughout the hot months of summer.

We had the commitment in the first round of the Europa League in Macedonia. Although we did not have bad results, I believe that if we had the team that we ended the year with, maybe we could have advanced to another round.

The only disappointment of the year was when we were eliminated from the U*BET FA Trophy, because till now we never managed to win the double. I hope that next year, this should be the main target.

The hardest work that we had throughout the year especially in the beginning of the season and in January was to keep the squad united and competitive. We talked with a number of Maltese players and we gave a trial to a number of foreign players and I can say that together with our intelligent Coach Mr. Paul Zammit we took very important decisions. I am convinced that players like Edward Herrera, Justin Haber, Zach Muscat, Alejandro Mendoza and Jhonnattann were determined to achieve the final success. These players increased the technical quality of this team in an impressive way and to do so, the Club made important sacrifices.

If this general meeting confirms the administration, we are ready to continue to strengthen the squad to be more competitive not only in the Maltese League but also in European competitions.

To counter for the increasing costs of running the Club, we made a huge effort to attract new sponsors, that were as a shoulder for us to help us balance the income with the outcome. I would like to mention them so you remember to use their service as Karkarizi.

A thanks from heart to Europort who for the first time sponsored us in the holistic way which means that they provided the kits to all the Nursery teams, the Under 19 Team, the Women's and the Senior Team, and in the same way the other sponsors - Mc Donald's, Laferla Insurance Agency, MSV Life, Betclic and Powerade.

All this work would not be possible if we did not have a formidable group that helped me in the running of this Club. We were successful because the administration as well as the technical team gave everything possible, most of the times, at the cost of personal sacrifices.

I cannot but mention all those who helped in a way or another that what we started, was carried forward. Thanks from the heart to the Supporters Club and all the helpers that were vital to gear up a formidable support in financially and in the atmosphere in the stadium. In this group, there are the Ultras that although being independent from the structure of the Club, they helped a lot to increase the atmosphere and support throughout all the matches.

I also have to thank Architect Mannie Galea, chairman of our Youth Nursery, for his hard work and determination, in making the Nursery the best on the island. His plans and visions are commendable and instrumental. The same goes to the rest of the Nursery's administration. The Nursery is the future of our Club, and their work is priceless.

Thanks as well to the director and all the helpers of the BKR Radio for their part to create unity in Birkirkara. To be sure that I will not forget anyone, I want to thank all of those who in a way or another helped that went another glorious year in the year of this Club.

From now on, we need to roll up our sleeves for another year full of new challenges. The challenges are big. It is my personal wish that the targets for this year will be three:

1) To win the double that is winning both the League and the Knock-out.

2) We qualify to another round in European Competitions.

3) We repeat our success with the Women's Team.

This can only happen if you, as members help us, and as well to increase our number of members. It is a true pity that our number of members is still too little as a percentage of the number of people who live in the biggest locality in Malta.

I would like to conclude by thanking again everyone who helped to make this year this memorable for our Club and I would like to thank all the Karkarizi.

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