Zack Scerri, a young footballer from Luxol St Andrews Football Club was declared as the overall winner of the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge 2008. Zack who also won the Under 11 category, was coached by Vick Cumbo. He received the Emirates Shield from Paul Fleri Soler, Emirates’ Manager for Malta and Cyprus.
The runner-up and winner of the Under 12 category was Robert Ciantar. He was coached by Jason Cachia from Dingli Swallows Youth FC.
Almost fifty talented footballers, including 10 girls, battled it out for the title of the fifth edition of the Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge, which was held at Victor Tedesco Stadium in Hamrun.
This event was organised by the Arsenal Malta Supporters Club (AMSC) and sponsored by Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, with the aim of encouraging and discovering new young Maltese football talent. The Challenge was also supported by Arsenal FC.
The Adjudicating Panel consisted of three established Maltese coaches Stephen Azzopardi, Patrick Curmi and Silvio Vella.
The Challenge featured talented young male and female players, born in 1995 and 1996, from 18 local Youth Nursery Clubs
The Emirates Airline Footballer Challenge saw the return of Arsenal FC coaches, Paul Shipwright who is responsible for partnered Soccer Schools and Martin Davis, Sports Development Officer.
The Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge ended with the Presentation of Trophies to the two winners, Zack Scerri and Robert Ciantar. Winning Nursery Clubs, Luxol St Andrews YN and Dingli Swallows YN received a donation to purchase equipment for their respective nurseries. The prize money was presented to Vick Cumbo and Jason Cachia respectively. Each participant was presented with a Certificate and Emirates branded gifts.
