Melita has announced that it has acquired TV rights to broadcast all races during the 8th of September Regatta, live and exclusive. This is the third time that Melita will broadcast the national regatta after broadcasting the event for the first time in September 2007 and later in March 2008.

Melita has also announced it will sponsor part of the expenses incurred by the National Festivities Committee to organise the traditional Regatta races.

The seven participating clubs in this year's regatta (Cospicua, Vittoriosa, Kalkara, Marsamxett Valletta, Marsa, Senglea and Birzebbuga) will compete in 10 races, 5 reserves and 5 open categories. The Regatta is organized twice a year in the Grand Harbour by the National Festivities Committee.

Live transmissions using a 10-camera setup, will start at 1pm both on Melita Sports and also on Melita's Weather and Information channel, which is available free of charge to all Melita subscribers. Transmission will also include the prize giving ceremony. Sports journalist Sandro Micallef will provide live event commentary and analysis during all races together with exclusive interviews with rowers, judges and club representatives.

"Melita is clearly committed to promote and support local sports of all kinds, not just football. Our record in promoting local sports remains unbeatable. This exclusive agreement follows after Melita acquired rights to broadcast live and exclusive local water polo matches from the BOV National Water Polo Championship and follows an impressive list of other local sports already broadcast on Melita Sports - BOV Premier League, Malta's World Cup qualifiers and international games, national and club championship Rugby matches, Gozo Futsal, Gozo 1st Division Football and 1st Division Handball" explained Malcolm Briffa, Melita's Head of Marketing.

More live local sports - Over the next few days, Melita Sports said they will also broadcast live international football matches of Malta's World Cup qualifying round. A live broadcast from Ta' Qali National Stadium is scheduled for Saturday 6th September at 7.50pm, with a preview program conducted by Sandro Micallef and technical commentary by Steve D'Amato. A repeat of the match will go on-air on Saturday the 6th of September at 10.30pm.

On Wednesday the 10th of September, Malta's national football team will be in action in Tirana against Albania. A live broadcast of Albania vs Malta is scheduled on Melita Sports at 8.45pm with live commentary from Tirana.

Anyone interested may save €30 when subscribing to the Melita Sports Season Ticket for 12 months of great sports for just €198 or choose a monthly subscription of €19 per month. For further information, or to take out a subscription you may telephone 27 270 270.