Serie A1 side, Orlandina Basket will be returning to Malta for a three-day training camp between Friday and Sunday at the Ta’ Qali Pavilion.

This is the second time that the Italian side have chosen Malta to conduct a short camp after last year they had also conducted a similar training spin here.

“The Italian National League will stop for an international break next week to let players join their respective national teams for their upcoming commitments,” club spokesman Pietro Scibetta said in a statement.

“Orlandina will be travelling to Malta with the majority of the squad, bar Slovakia’s Mario Ihring, Arnoldas Kulboka, of Lithuania and Polish player Jakub Wojciechowski who have been called up by their respective national teams.

“We are looking forward to this training camp in Malta after our successful experience last January.”

The Italian side’s arrival coincides with the inauguration of the MBA Arena at Ta’ Qali this weekend.

To mark the occasion, Orlandina Basket, who are currently involved in the FIBA Champions League, will also be playing a friendly match against a local selection, formed by Malta national team players and the best foreigners plying their trade in the National League, on Saturday.

“Our second visit to Malta will further strengthen our excellent relationship with the Malta Basketball Association and its president Paul Sultana,” Orlandina Basket Sport Director Giuseppe Sindoni said.

“Hopefully, this mini camp will help Orlandina players to prepare for their forthcoming commitments in the Italian league and Europe competition.”

On his part, Paul Sultana, the MBA president, said that Orlandina’s visit will surely provide a good opportunity for basketball enthusiasts to see professional players in action at the MBA Arena.

“We’re very happy to be hosting Orlandina Basket for a second mini-camp in Malta. They are a highly-respected organisation in the Italian Serie A1 category, a club that is making great steps forward, both domestically and also in the European competitions,” he said.

“We are looking forward to having them train and play at the newly-refurbished MBA Arena again.

“Added to that we believe that this is also a great opportunity for Maltese basketball players and followers to see some high-level basketball on Saturday when Orlandina Basket play a friendly match against the best talent in our local
league.”