The new BOV Basketball Arena should be completed by the end of the year, Malta Basketball Association (MBA) president Paul Sultana told reporters yesterday.
The MBA is currently engaged in a new project that sees the construction of two new courts in their bid to provide more facilities for local clubs.
Excavation works are already underway and Sultana said he’s hopeful that works on a new gym and court adjacent to the pavilion in Ta’ Qali will be ready by the end of the year.
Sultana, speaking on the occasion of the KO draw for the new season, said the MBA is investing heavily in infrastructure and will continue to upgrade facilities.
The record attendances regis-tered for the play-offs last season have given their confidence a timely shot in the arm.
“Our efforts are already bearing fruit as the crowds we had last season were the highest at the pavilion in recent years,” he said.
“We are confident that the new season will continue to see our sport flourishing. However, without our sponsors’ assistance we would not be in a position to achieve our goals.”
Bank of Valletta are the official sponsors of the MBA national competitions. BOV are also backing the association finan-cially to complete the construction of the new courts.
Giving back to local communities is a long-standing BOV tradition of strong commitment towards sport and Peter Perotti, BOV Chief Officer, said: “We are pleased not only to confirm our sponsorship towards the sport but also to strengthen our relationship with the association.
“BOV are also proud to assist the MBA with the construction of new courts as this will continue to improve the standards of the local game,” he added.
The draw of the men’s KO competition was made yesterday.
The 2013-14 campaign starts with the pre-season tour-naments late this month and the first matches from the national league are scheduled for November 9.
Matches from the MBA Shield and Louis Borg Cup will be played in October and the KO gets underway on November 24.
Starlites and Siġġiewi clash in the KO quarter-finals with the winner progressing to a last-four showdown against holders A to Z Electronics.
The other quarter-final pits together Pavi Depiro and BUPA Luxol. The winner here qualifies for a match against Floriana, the league champions.
Meanwhile, before the draws were made Kristin Baldacchino (A to Z Electronics), Robert Loporto (Starlites) and Sarah Pace (Luxol) were presented with the BOV Player of the Year awards for their performances last season.
Other awards
U-23 – Billy Zammit (Loyola); Becky Naudi ( Luxol).
U-19 – Calvin Calleja (Depiro); Gaby Mifsud (Depiro).
U-16 – Keiron Caruana (Hibernians); Ocean Visser (Luxol).