The preliminary round for the 7-UP National Waterpolo Championships 2003 will kick off on Friday, 13th June 2003. The competition will be run on the same system as last year.

This was announced by Mr. Robert Ebejer, President of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta (ASA) during a press conference held today at Farsons Brewery.

Mr. Adrian Farrugia, ASA General Secretary, conducted the draws for this year's edition of the 7-UP National Waterpolo Championships. Nine teams will be participating in this competition: Exiles SC; Marsascala ASC; Marsaxlokk ASC; Neptunes WPSC; San Giljan ASC; Sliema ASC; Sirens ASC; Ta' Xbiex and Otters ASC. The Youth National Team will be participating out of competition.

All participating teams will play each other in the preliminary round. The first four placed teams will play a further two rounds to determine the 7-UP National Champion, while the other teams will play a further round to determine the 7-UP Second Division Champion.

The duration of all the matches played in the final phase of the 7-UP National Waterpolo Championships, and the 7-UP First Division Knock Out competition will be played on four sessions of eight minutes each, with four minutes rest at half-time and two minutes rest between the other sessions. The preliminary round and the Second Division competitions will be played on four sessions of seven minutes each with two minutes rest between each session.

Ms. Alison Bezzina, 7-UP Brand Executive, said, "This is the second consecutive year that 7-UP is sponsoring the ASA. Through the 7-UP brand, we are planning to further develop the strong links which have already existed between Farsons and the ASA for the last ten years. Through its sponsorship of the ASA, 7-UP also supports the Winter League, the First Division Knock Out competition and the Second Division and Knock Out competitions."

"7-UP finances most of the expenses incurred by the Association for the administration and the organisation of the above-mentioned waterpolo competitions. It also covers other age group competitions," said Mr. Robert Ebejer.

"This is the tenth consecutive year that Simonds Farsons Cisk plc is sponsoring the ASA. The Association is satisfied with the relationship instituted with Farsons, which has continually improved over the years. This has been due to the fact that both entities have understood the mutual benefits resulting from managing sponsorship in a professional manner. Whenever improvements are needed in the game of waterpolo, both the ASA and Farsons do their utmost to implement whatever is necessary," concluded Mr. Ebejer.

At the end of the conference, John Soler (Sliema ASC) was presented with the Waterpolo Player of the Year 2002 trophy, while Keith Grima Scott (San Giljan ASC) was presented with the trophy for Waterpolo Player of the Year for 2nd Division.