Historical Highlights – Malta Basketball Association

January 2018 – Paul Sultana voted Official of the Year and Angela Adamoli voted Coach of the Year
October 2017 – The new Basketball Pavilion Project is inaugurated. A Malta selection plays against Orlandina Capo d’Orlando from the Italian Serie A1.
July 2017 – The women Under 16 took part in the FIBA Under 16 Women Championships Division C in Gibraltar. The local girls came home with the silver medal. For full tournament info, please click here. The boys participated in the FIBA Under 16 Men Championships Division C in Andorra. For games info, please click here. During this month, Malta hosted the FIBA Under 18 Women’s Championship Division C with the games all being played in the National Sport School Gym in Pembroke. The Malta girls won the bronze medal in these championships. For all the info on these championships, please click here. At the same time, the Malta Under 18 male squad went to Nicosia in Cyprus to play in the 2017 FIBA under 18 Men’s Championship Division C where they won the bronze medal. For games info, please click here. July 2017 also heralded the first time that Malta took the plunge to participate in the FIBA Under 20 championships. Click here to view all Malta’s games in Oradea. History was made on Friday 21st July when Malta registered its first ever win in the under 20 after beating Moldova 96-48. Click here to see the full video of this win over Moldova. The game statistics could be viewed here.
July 2014 – FIBA Europe U16 Men & Women Div C for Small Countries are held here in Ta Qali – Malta. this proved to be a memorable year for Maltese Basketball. Our National Teams won 5 medals out of 6 in the following Categories : Male National Team U/16 wins Gold medal in FIBA European Championship Division C held in Malta, for the first time. The Female National Team U/16 wins SILVER medal in FIBA European Championship Division C held in Malta. The Seniors Male National Team wins SILVER medal in FIBA European Championship Division C held in Gibraltar. The Seniors Female National Team wins BRONZE medal in FIBA European Championship Division C held in Austria. The Female National Team U/18 wins SILVER medal in FIBA European Championship Division C held in Andorra. The U/18 Male National Team participated in FIBA European Championship Division C held in Andorra.
April 2014 – The New Training Courts are completed. The MBA can now boast to having 3 full parquet courts.September 2013 – Works started on site for the new Training Gyms adjacent to Ta Qali Pavilion.
September 2013 – Works started on site for the new Training Gyms adjacent to Ta Qali Pavilion.
August 2013 – A first for a Maltese official as Bernard Vassallo officiates the bronze medal game in the FIBA European Under 18 A Championships in Latvia.
July 2013 – Elections for the new Administration confirmed President Mr. Paul Sultana and Secretary General Mr. Joseph Muscat. The female National Team U/18 wins the Silver medal in FIBA European Championship Division C held in Andorra.
May – June 2013 – Female national team participates in the GSSE Small Countries GAMES held in Luxembourg. Playing against Iceland, Luxembourg and Cyprus.
March 2013 – Maltese official Bernard Vassallo is appointed to officiate in the FIBA EuroLeague Final 8 held in Ekaterinburg, Russia.
October 2012 – After works on the new parquet were completed, Hon. Clyde Puli officially inaugurated the new parquet floor together with the MBA President Paul Sultana.
September 2012 – Prof. Maurizio Mondoni conducted a coaching course under the auspices of the MBA and KMS. The 3rd September storm flooded the whole pavilion destroying completely the parquet flooring. A new parquet was laid, with funding from the KMS, on top of a newly built elevated flooring structure to prevent future damage due to floods.
July 2012 – Both the Male and Female Senior national team win the Bronze medal in the FIBA European Championship Division C.
June 2012 – Mr. Paolo Di Fonzo and Mr. Santino Coppa conducted a coaching clinic under the auspices of the MBA and KMS.
October 2011 – Foreign players re-introduced in all Senior National Leagues. Adjacent land to the basketball pavilion, of circa 11,400 square metres, was handed over to the MBA by the Kunsill Malti ghall-iSport (KMS).
August 2011 – Infrastructural and cosmetic works started on the Pavilion. A new U/23 League was introduced
July 2011 – The Female National Team U/16 wins the Bronze medal in FIBA European Championship Division C held in Andorra
June 2011 – A new administrative team was elected to run the MBA , with President Mr. Paul Sultana, Deputy President Dr. Trevor De Giorgio and Secretary General Mr. Joseph Muscat. Bernard Vassallo officiates at the Euro Basket 2011 Women European Championships in Poland.
July 2010 – The Male National Team wins the Bronze medal in the FIBA European Championship Division C held in Malta.
June 2010 – The Female National Team makes it 3 consecutive Gold medals. This year saw them win Gold again in the FIBA European Championship Division C held in Armenia.
May 2010 – Mag. Antonio Mizzi elected once again on the FIBA Board. Frank Camilleri and Ray Mercieca also reappointed in the Small Countries Commission and Finance Commission respectively.
January 2010 – The female national team is voted Team of the Year (2009) by the Ghaqda Kittieba Sport in the Sports Awards event.
December 2009 – The female national team wins the Gold Award at the MOC Sports Awards.
July 2009 – The male national team Under 18 wins the Gold medal in the FIBA European Championship Division C held in Malta. The female national team Under 18 wins the Bronze medal in the FIBA European Championship Division C held in Malta.
The female national team participated for the first time ever in the Mediterranean Games held in Pescara. Playing against Greece, Serbia, Turkey and Albania.
May 2009 – The female national team wins the Gold medal at the GSSE Games held in Cyprus.
December 2008 – The female national team wins the Gold Award at the MOC Sports Awards.
July 2008 – The female national team wins the Gold medal in the FIBA European Championship Division C held in Luxembourg. The Fisec boys team wins a Silver Medal in Malta.
May 2008 -Malta hosted the FIBA General Assembly.
July 2007 – The female national team Under 18 wins the Gold medal in the FIBA European Championship Division C held in Malta.
January 2007 – Bernard Vassallo is voted as the ‘Sport Official of the Year 2006’ by the Malta Sport writers Association during the National Sports Awards event.
March 2006 – Female national team participate for the first time in the Commonwealth Games held in Melbourne Australia. Playing against New Zealand, Malasia, India and Nigeria. Bernard Vassallo referees the Final Game of the 2016 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.
May 2005 – The female national team wins the Bronze medal at the GSSE Games held in Andorra. Malta hosted the FIBA Executive Board meeting.
December 2004 – The Ladies Basketball Team is awarded the MOC Silver award during a gala night organized by the MOC.
July 2004 – The female national team wins Bronze medal at the FIBA Promotion Cup held in Andorra. The Fisec girls team wins Bronze medal in the games organised in Malta.
January 2004 – The Ladies Basketball team win the Team of the Year (2003) award organized by the Sportswriters association.
December 2003 – The female national team wins the Gold Award at the MOC Sports Awards.
June 2003 – Bernard Vassallo referees the final game of the Men Competition, Iceland vs Cyprus, in the Games of the Small States of Europe 2013
May 2003 – The female national team wins the first Gold medal in the 2003 GSSE Games organised in Malta.
June 2001 – The president of the MBA, Magistrate Antonio Mizzi, appointed as the FIBA President of the European appeals board and also member of the FIBA European zone board. The male senior national team participated for the first time in the 33rd European Championship for men. The other participating teams were Austria, Hungary and Rumania.
February 2001 – The Malta government transferred the property at Ta’ Qali to the MBA for 49 years. The property includes the existing basketball complex and the land around the complex for future development.
July 2000 – The Cadets National Boys team won for the first time ever a bronze medal in the FIBA European Promotion Cup. Mr Tom Scheeman (FIBA) conducts a coaching course in Malta under the auspices of the MBA, MOC, IOC and FIBA.
May 1999 – The 49th FIBA Europe General Assembly Standing Conference of the delegates of the national federations of Europe is staged at the Westin Dragonara resort, St. Julians.
October 1998 – ‘Air Malta La Vallette’ participates in the Italian League Serie C1.
August 1998 – Magistrate Antonio Mizzi is nominated member of the FIBA European commission for legal matters and eligibility (1998-2002).
July 1998 – Prof. Maurizio Mondoni conducts a Mini basket coaching course.
July 1997 – The first FIBA Junior women promotion cup was held in Malta. Malta placed 6th in tournament.
May 1997 – The NCAA team of Dayton University visit Malta. Malta’s Men national team win he Silver Medal in the small National Games held in Iceland. The Maltese Women team secure the Bronze Medal.
December 1996 – Magistrate Antonio Mizzi is elected President of the Malta Basketball Association.
October 1996 – The Malta Falcons play a series of ‘home’ and ‘away’ games against Italian B1 sides. The Falcons win seven from eleven matches.
September 1996 – Italy’s National Coach, Ettore Messina conducts a course for senior coaches.
June 1996 – Bernard Vassallo is appointed as a FIBA International Referee after successfully completing the FIBA Referees Clinic in Bratislava.
May 1995 – Leonard Falzon is appointed FIBA Commissioner. Nicholas Azzopardi is appointed FIBA International Referee.
June 1994 – Joe Farrugia is elected MBA president. The first FIBA Promotion Cup for Women is held in Malta.
May 1993 – The Malta’s ladies team win the Bronze Medal in the Small Nations Games held in Malta.
February 1992 – John Tabone is voted the Sports Official of the year for 1991.
June 1991 – Lino Vassallo is elected president of the MBA. Mr. Louis Borg is nominated President Emeritus of the MBA.
August 1990 – Leonard Falzon is appointed as a FIBA international referee.
January 1990 – Jacqueline Schembri (Fiat) wins the “Sportsmanship Act Trophy”.
December 1989 – Malta participates in the first edition of the “FIBA European Promotion Cup For Women “ held in Luxembourg.
May 1989 – Malta places fifth in the 3rd Small Nations Games held in Nicosia, Cyprus.
December 1988 – The MBA organises the first edition of the FIBA European Basketball Promotion Cup.
November 1988 – The MBA moves to its new offices at the refurbished Ta’ Qali Basketball Complex.
January 1988 – Mr. Louis Borg, MBA president, is voted National Official of the Year 1987
December 1987 – A new parquet floor is inaugurated by the MBA at the Ta’ Qali basketball complex.
September 1987 – Claudio Bardini, from the Italian Federation, conducts a coaching clinic in Malta.
May 1987 – The Malta Basketball Association organised a qualification tournament of the 1987 European Youths Men Championship with Greece, Israel, Finland and Malta participating.
The senior Malta team retains the Bronze medal in the second edition of the small nations games held in Monaco.
April 1987 – The FIBA executive committee proposes the creation of a Promotion Cup to be organised for the Small states of Europe.
March 1987 – Louis Borg (Malta) and Rene Schiltz (Luxembourg) meet Mr. Stankovic and Mr. Pitz of FIBA to discuss the Small Nations movement.
The basketball pavilion at Ta’ Qali is leased by the government to the MBA.
December 1986 – During a friendly international tournament for small countries hosted by the MBA, representatives from Malta, Cyprus, Iceland, Luxembourg and Wales (supported by Ireland, Gibraltar and San Marino) meet to discuss the possibility of requesting FIBA to help Small European countries to organise an official tournament.
April 1986 – The new English league champions, Manchester United, organise a two-match visit in Malta.
May 1985 – The XXXth session of the FIBA Standing Conference is held in Malta at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard.
Malta participated in the first edition of the Games for Small States of Europe held in San Marino winning the first Bronze medal for Malta. Mr. John Tabone coached the team. This was the first medal won by Malta in an official international competition.
February 1985 – The MBA moves into its new administrative office in Birkirkara.
November 1984 -First international appointment for Maltese FIBA referee, Anthony Micallef.
September 1984 – Mario Blasone, staff coach of the Italian National teams, conducted a coaching course through the Olympic Solidarity.
May 1984 – An important conference “Basketball in Malta – Tomorrow” was organised by the MBA.
July 1983 – A FIBA regional clinic for international referees was held in Malta. Twenty eight candidates from eight European countries, including six Maltese, attended the four day clinic organised by the MBA.
April 1983 – The Austrian club, ABC Merkur Graz, won the 4th International Tournament.
December 1982 – FIP’s Referees Commissioner, Luigi Giordano, conducted a Clinic for local Referees.
May 1982 – Anthony Micallef becomes the first International Basketball referee after successfully attending the FIBA Central Clinic for International Referees held in Lausanne, Switzerland.
April 1982 – Malta organised a Qualification Tournament of the Xth European Junior Men Championships with the participation of Italy, France, Turkey, Portugal and Malta. The tournament was held at De La Salle College.
September 1981 – Four Maltese referees, Louis Micallef, Anthony Briguglio, Louis Naudi and Louis Borg (Junior) officiate as neutral Referees in the IV Pan-Arab Basketball championship in Tunis. Louis Micallef controlled the final between Tunisia and Algeria.
July 1981 – Branik Maribor won the 3rd International Friendship Tournament.
October 1980 – Martti Huhtamaki, President of the Finnish Basketball Federation, conducted a clinic for Maltese referees.
July 1980 – Branik Maribor of Yugoslavia won the 2nd International Friendship Tournament organised by the MBA.
January 1980 – The MBA general secretary, Mr. Louis Micallef is voted National Official of the Year 1979.
April 1979 – The Malta national side, coached by Valentine Drury, wins three matches in a tour of Tunisia.
January 1979 – Monica Moran (Cadettes Haig) is voted National Sportswoman of the Year 1978.
October 1978 – The opening of the new MBA headquarters at the Salesians’ Oratory in Sliema.
October 1976 – The top Italian international referee, Vittorio Fiorito, conducted a referee’s clinic.
The crack Russian ladies team, Spartak Leningrad played an exhibition game with a Maltese selection at Ta’ Qali.
September 1976 – The Malta Under 21 side participated in the Libyan Sports festival in Tripoli.
July 1976 – The Malta youths participated in an international tournament in Ragusa. Charles Azzopardi (Wrangler) is voted the best player of the tournament.
The Malta ladies team participated in an international tournament in Tre Castagne near Catania.
June 1976 – Appia Catania win the first international friendship tournament organised by the MBA.
November 1975 – Former American professional player, Charles Bennett, conducts a week’s coaching clinic for the MBA.
September 1975 – Malta conducts its first tour abroad participating in the September International Tournament in Benghazi, Libya.
March 1975 – Malta plays its first full international match with Libya at Ta’ Qali.
January 1975 – The MBA President, Louis Borg, is voted as the National Official of the Year 1974
May 1974 – The MBA celebrated its tenth Anniversary with an International Tournament won by a visiting Rome Selection
February 1973 – Eight teams participate in the first MBA ladies national league.
The first basketball matches on an indoor full-size court are played at the large hangar at Ta’ Qali put at the disposal of the Association by the National Sports Board.
November 1972 – Tullio Paratore, a top Italian coach, was sent to Malta by CONI to conduct the first stage of a full basketball coaches course. This was the first instructional phase of a three-year course.
June 1972 – Val Drury wins first MBA Basketball Player of the Year award.
December 1971 – A Mini Basket project is officially launched at Stella Maris College, Gzira.
August 1971 – MCAST become the first Maltese club side to participate in an international basketball tournament abroad. The polytechnic side participated in an international universities tournament in Holland.
March 1971 – The MBA organised the first under 16 league
October 1970 – Joe Farrugia appointed the first official national coach of the association.
September 1970 – Co-founder and ex secretary of the MBA, Louis Borg is elected as the MBA president. Eddie miller (v/president), Louis Micallef (secretary) and Joe Depasquale Schranz (treasurer) were the other officials which administered and promoted Maltese basketball making it one of the most popular major sports in Malta.
September 1968 – Malta makes its international debut losing to Libya (29-54) in a friendly game at the Luqa gym.
June 1968 – Anthony Falzon represented the MBA for the first time at a FIBA standing conference held in Ischia, Italy.
January 1968 – The first referees course is organised by the MBA. Louis Borg and Tony Micallef Borg conducted the course and examined the participants.
August 1967 – The Malta Basketball Association affiliates with the International Amateur Basketball Federation (FIBA).
October 1966 – The first national Basketball League was played in the indoor hall of the Msida Primary School with ten teams participating.
October 1964 – The MBA affiliated itself with the Malta Olympic Committee (MOC)
April 1964 – First Malta Basketball Association Annual General Meeting