Senior teams to swab three days before matches
The 2020-21 Malta Basketball Association season will get underway on October 24 under a strict medical protocol, the Times of Malta can confirm.
The local governing body of basketball met with the clubs to discuss a strict medical protocol to ensure matches are played in a safe and healthy environment.
“We have been discussing the necessary guidelines to be undertaken for the coming season with club officials for a number of weeks now,” Paul Sultana, the president of the Malta Basketball Association told the Times of Malta.
“I think that we have put up a very strong modus operandi to fight the threat posed by COVID-19. We have sent the document to SportMalta and the health authorities and await their green light.”
The basketball competitions will be played in the training courts situated adjacent to the basketball pavilion since the main complex is currently undergoing renovation works.
According to the protocol issued by the MBA, the men’s and women’s league matches will be held on separate weekends so that if a player tests positive for COVID-19, the MBA will have enough time to put the team in question under the mandatory 14-day quarantine and not disrupt the whole championships.
Added to that every team in the senior competitions will undergo a swab tests at St James Hospital, who are one of the main sponsors of the Malta Basketball Association.
The fixtures of the new season have been published in the last few days with the men’s senior league starting on October 24 when Mellieħa Libertas Spalding take on Hibernians.
The following day, Gżira Athleta will play Depiro before Starlites GiG will face BUPA Luxol.
The MBA are now currently lining up a medical protocol for the youth competitions in consultation with the respective clubs.
OPENING FIXTURES
Saturday, October 24
Men’s U-16: 9am Starlites U16 B vs Shamrock Stars; 11.15am Athleta vs Depiro KVH.
Men’s League: 3.45pm Mellieħa Libertas Spalding vs Hibernians.
Sunday, October 25
Sunday, October 25
U16 Men: Siġġiewi U16 vs Luxol; 11.15am Starlites Mazars vs Hibernians.
Men’s League: 1.30pm Depiro vs Gżira Athleta; 3.45pm Starlites GiG vs BUPA Luxol.
