The Malta Basketball Association (MBA) had notable successes during the past few years in international tournaments such as the GSSE and the Promotion Cup.
That cycle was the fruit of years of investment in the youth sector and the MBA is now looking to match, if not improve, those standards with a sound rebuilding process aimed at strengthening the national teams.
Such investment requires a healthy budget but the MBA has already started to secure financial support.
Yesterday, MBA president Antonio Mizzi announced that they had signed a three-year agreement with Bank of Valletta.
Again, BOV will sponsor the KO competitions. Besides, the deal will also cover mini-basket sessions for young players.
"We are delighted that BOV decided to extend their partnership with us for the next three years," Magistrate Mizzi said.
"Such sponsorships are essential as they provide us with the necessary funds to enhance our projects at grassroot levels, in particular."
Charles Borg, BOV Executive Head, said: "This sponsorship forms part of an overall strategy to promote the development of athletes.
"We are also renewing our sponsorship for the MBA children's programme, underlining our efforts to promote sport among the young generation thus encouraging potential new talent."
Magistrate Mizzi confirmed that the men's team will not play in next year's GSSE. There will be no basketball competitions for women in Monaco '07.
"Coach Bruno Dipietrantonio feels that our team needs more time to develop and become competitive at this level. So, we feel that it would be better to dedicate all our energy to improve the youth sector," he remarked.
With no major competitions for our national teams until 2008, the MBA is now looking to have more players developing their skills outside our shores.
So far, the MBA succeeded in finding clubs for five teenage players in Italy. With professional clubs, they will be in a better position to maximise their talent.
Besides Josephine Grima, who has now established herself as a regular with Priolo, 19-year-old Antoinette Borg has moved to Siracusa and Christine Grima, 17, is training with Stelle Alpine Roma.
Lee Ross, the 18-year-old son of Don Ross, is in his third year with Stelle Marine Roma while Luke Camilleri, 16, and Anton Asciak, 15, are both training with Ragusa.
The next player likely to move overseas is Samuel Deguara, 16.
The 2.19m Naxxar player has already attracted interest from various European clubs but has decided to complete his studies here before moving abroad.
"We do have some players who can make the grade elsewhere if they are given the right training," Magistrate Mizzi said.
"Unfortunately, our resources are limited so the best we can offer these players is the chance to enhance their skills with a foreign team.
"We believe this is the ideal way to improve the level of basketball in Malta.
"It's a long process but we're confident the strategy will work for the benefit of the players and the national teams."