Disciplines · Basketball Fact Sheet

The first meeting of the Malta Basketball Association was held in March 1964 at the Civil Services Sports Club, Valletta, under the chairmanship of Benny Pace. Two years later the first competitions were held at the Polytechnic outdoor court in Msida. 1967 saw the start of the first national basketball league played in the indoor hall of the Msida Primary School with ten teams participating, Mundlos ended up as the first champions.

In September 1968, Malta made its international debut losing to Libya 29-54 in friendly games at the Luqa Gym. 1970 saw an important milestone for the association when co-founder and then secretary Louis Borg was elected President of the association. In 1971, the Malta ‘A’ team won the Ambassador’s Trophy for the first time while in August of the same year MCAST became the first Maltese club side to participate in an international basketball tournament abroad. Later on during the same year the Mini-Basket project was officially launched. Two years later eight teams participated in the first Ladies National League. In May 1973, the first basketball matches on an indoor full-size court were played at the large hangar at Ta’ Qali.

In 1975 Malta played its first full international with opponents Libya once again. A few months later Malta’s first tour abroad was registered when the local side participated in the September First International Tournament in Benghazi, Libya. In 1977 the first International Friendship Tournament was organized by the MBA. In 1978 the MBA inaugurated its new Headquarters at the Salesians Oratory in Sliema. In 1979, the national side, under the guidance of coach Val Drury won three matches in a tour in Tunisia. Three years later the MBA organized a qualification tournament of the Xth European Junior Men Championships. A month later, Anthony Micallef became the first international basketball referee.

In May 1984 Mr. Louis Borg was appointed Technical Commissioner of FIBA. A year later the XXXth Session of the FIBA Standing Conference was held in Malta. A few days later Malta participated for the first ever time in the Games for Small States of Europe held in San Marino. The Maltese team, under the guidance of coach John Tabone, won the bronze medal indeed the only medal for Malta, which can be registered as the first team medal ever for Malta in an International Competition. In 1987 the MBA was entrusted with the organisation of the Qualification Tournament of the European Youths Men Championships. During the same year Malta retained the bronze medal during the second edition of the Games of the Small States of Europe held in Monaco.

In December 1988 the MBA organized the first edition of the promotion Cup whilst in 1993 the Ladies national team clinched the bronze medal during the GSSE held in Malta under the guidance of coach Mariella Piscopo. A year later the first FIBA Promotion Cup for Women was held in Malta.

From 1996 during the short presidency of Joe Farrugia the Malta Falcons started to play a series of home and away matches against Italian B1 sides. The Falcons, coached by Alfred Mifsud, won seven matches from eleven. In 1997 the Men’s national side won the silver medal during the GSSE in Iceland. In 1998 with Dr. A Magri as President, Malta made its debut in the Italian League Service C1 under the name of Air Malta La Valletta.

In July 2000, the Maltese Cadets won the bronze medal while the year 2001 saw Malta’s baptism of fire in the FIBA European Championship for Men. In the first round the Maltese were pitted against Romania, Hungary and Austria.

The MBA, which embraces 23 member clubs within it, organizes a number of different competitions during the season both for men and for women. In fact, the Malta Basketball Association organizes the Super Cup, MBA Shield, Knock Out competition, Louis Borg Cup, National League, Under 20, Under 17, Under 14 and Mini-Basket Under 12, Under 10 and Under 8 league competitions. As regards international participation of the MBA one finds the European Championship, Promotion Cup for seniors, juniors and cadets, Games for the Small States of Europe, FISEC Games and the Kinnie International Tournament.

Undoubtedly, the MBA’s history has been a very eventful and successful one and hence there are a number of outstanding players who managed to distinguish themselves through their great skills and sportsmanship.

Local Competitions:
Kinnie National League, Bank of Valletta KO, Mini Basket, Under 16 & Under 19, Air Malta Super Cup

International Competitions:
Italy/Maltese, Promotion Cup, International Tournament

top