The Malta Basketball Association (MBA) are set to embark on an ambitious project with the construction of two new courts as they look to provide more facilities for local clubs.
President Paul Sultana told the media yesterday that his association have filed a permit at MEPA for two new basketball courts, one adjacent to the Pavilion in Ta’ Qali and the other in Qormi.
“For many years most of our activities have primarily featured at our home base in Ta’ Qali,” Sultana said.
“We hold over 600 matches at the same venue in one single season. With such a packed schedule we are left to deal with huge difficulties to accommodate training for clubs and the national teams besides hosting matches from various competitions.
“We are now banking on this project to alleviate the problem.
“The authorities are expected to give their ruling in the next few weeks and, hopefully, we’ll get the go-ahead to start construction works in the new year.”
Government will be providing funds for the new courts and the MBA got an added financial boost yesterday when long-time sponsors Bank of Valletta announced they had extended their partnership for another year.
“We are all grateful to the Parliamentary Secretary for Sport Clyde Puli who not only provided us with assistance to repair storm damages at the Pavilion in the last few weeks but he has also promised us a €200,000 grant for our construction project,” Sultana said.
“Without this financial assistance our plans would not be possible to achieve.”
“BOV have also been one of our major partners for several years now,” Sultana added.
This year BOV will be the official sponsors of the national leagues, which get underway this weekend, and the KO competitions.
The bank will be issuing a loan of €200,000 to be totally dedicated for the construction of the new basketball courts while more help could be sought from FIBA and through the schemes made available by the world governing body where projects dealing with new facilities are concerned.
Giving back to local communities is a long-standing BOV tradition of strong commitment towards sport and Peter Perotti, BOV Chief Officer Personal Banking, said: “We are pleased not only to confirm our sponsorship towards basketball 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.
“This sport is registering marked improvements also thanks to the commitment and initiatives of those involved in the basketball administration.”