The Malta Basketball Association (MBA) have signed accord with the Italian Basketball Federation (IBF) that paves the way for Maltese coaches to undergo instructional courses that will enable them to get their coaching licence.
Speaking during a news conference earlier this week, Paul Sultana, the MBA president, said that this was breakthrough initiative from the local governing body as finally Maltese coaches will receive proper formation that will boost the development of the game in Malta.
“This is the first time in the history of our association that we are trying to set up a coaching structure in Malta,” Sultana said.
“This initiative came thanks to IBF president Gianni Petrucci, who interestingly has his son playing basketball here, and Adrian Mifsud who helped us to make the approach.
“For a long time we felt the need to create something similar through Maltese coaches but we never managed to do it. We are pleased that the Italian federation have put their services at our disposal.”
Sultana said that all Maltese coaches must follow this courses if they are to be able to get their coaching licence for next season.
“All Maltese coaches are eligible to take these courses and they will need this certification if they are to be able to take charge of a team in any division or category next season. Who will successfully complete the course will receive a licence with which they will be able to coach in our competitions,” Sultana said.
“It’s time that we give our coaches the necessary formation so that they help our players to improve their level of the game.
“Throughout the last years we depended heavily on foreign coaches but now it’s time to put some faith on a group of young coaches who are showing a lot of promise and I’m confident that they can help us take our game to a higher level.”
Andrea Capobianco, who has just led Italy U-19 to a silver medal in the World Championships, will take charge of the courses.
“We are putting all our knowledge of the game at the Maltese coaches disposal,” Capobianco said.
“We will start with the level one course whose objective is to ensure that the coaches have good knowledge of all the fundamentals of the game, both technical and practical. This means that the coach will be able not only to teach the player how to play with the ball but also understand how and when to do it.
“The course will be split into two sessions. The first part are 18 online sessions which will see coaches following all the material from their home.
“Then once this will be completed they will attend to four practice sessions with me before they will undergo an assessment that will give the licence to the coach.”
On his part, Gianni Petrucci sounded delighted that his federation is helping the MBA with whom he described his relationship as ‘excellent’.
“I am really satisfied that we have rubberstamped this agreement with the MBA who in my opinion are carrying out an excellent job here,” Petrucci said.
“I always had a great relationship with Malta, even in my time at the football federation where I helped in bringing Pietro Ghedin to take charge of the national team.
“It’s a known fact that in Italy we have some of the world’s best coaches such as Ettore Messina and also Andrea Capobianco who has just steered our U-19 national team to a silver medal in the world championships in Egypt.
“When we were approached I immediately accepted to set up this agreement as I know how much the MBA is working hard to improve the game.
“My son speaks very highly of the level of the basketball league and I’m pleased that we can give our contribution.
“It’s our intent to put all our coaching expertise at the MBA disposal. Paul Sultana and his colleagues are during a sterling job here and although I know that they don’t have the same budget of bigger countries I have no doubt that they will surely reap great rewards in the future through such initiatives.”