Magistrate Mizzi also announced yesterday that Rebecca Brincat Thoresen has just become eligible to play for Malta after receiving her Maltese passport on Wednesday.

Rebecca last played in Germany with NB Oberhausen, but she also played for and captained the Leipzig Eagles, Perth Lynx, Sheffield Hatters, Powerbasket Wels, Melbourne Tigers and Dandenong Rangers as well as Kilsyth Cobras.

Included in her career achievements are her feats when becoming the German League’s top scorer in 2001-02 and 2002-03, played in the European Cup in the same two seasons and was the third highest scorer in the European Cup in season 2002-03. In 1998, she won the Australian Basketball Association Championship with Kilsyth.

MBA president Magistrate Tonio Mizzi said yesterday the girl’s availability became possible after the government recently drafted new laws involving Maltese citizenship. Rebecca is the second person to avail herself of this opportunity, which the MBA hoped, would also be available to others.

He added that another person, Costantino Axisa, had been working hard for the last six years on the possibility of Rebecca and others playing for Malta. "Now that this dream has come true, it is time to announce that the MBA also have two young men and five other young Maltese girls who are willing to play for Malta in future," said Magistrate Mizzi.