The draws for the forthcoming BOV Knock Out, organised by the Malta Basketball Association, that will be played throughout February and March of this year, were held yesterday at BOV Centre in St Venera. The draws cover the categories of men's Division 1, women's Division 1 and men's Division 2.

During the event, Bank of Valletta and the Malta Basketball Association launched a new logo for the BOV Knock Out. Charles Borg, Executive Head at the CEO's Office at Bank of Valletta said: "Bank of Valletta has always acknowledged the popularity that basketball enjoys and such a widely followed sport deserves our encouragement. We hope that the Bank of Valletta KO will serve to give further prominence to the game of basketball and enhance the following of these forthcoming competitions. All this underlines Bank of Valletta's efforts to promote sport thus encouraging the development of local talent."

BOV is the sponsor of the MBA Division Knock Out Competitions for men and for women for the next three consecutive basketball seasons, that is, till 2008/2009 following an agreement signed with the MBA in November 2006. Through this agreement, BOV was also recognised by the MBA as one of the main Official Partners of the association.

The final of the Men's Division Two KO is to be contested by Loyola Xuereb Installations and Mosta. This match is to be played on 18 February.

The men's Division One and Women's KO competitions are in the semi-final stages.

In the women's semi-finals, Kerygma meet Hibs Medsea on 3 February, while Depiro are to face Sliema Wanderers on 4 February. Both matches will start at 4.15pm.

In the men's competition, the first semi-final, between Floriana and Dakar SW is to be played on 27 January at 4.15pm. The other semi-final, between Qormi Kia and BUPA Luxol, is to be played on 28 January, also at 4.15pm.

All matches will be played at the Ta' Qali basketball complex.