Last season’s champions were yesterday drawn to meet San Giljan in the opening match of this year’s championship.

The draws were made yesterday at the Bank of Valletta Head Office in St Venera in the presence of representatives of the clubs.

In the other matches on opening day, Neptunes will play against Sirens while Exiles will be facing Marsascala.

The opening round is to be played on 6 March with matches at 4.15pm, 5.30pm and 6.45pm. There will be matches on 13, 14, 19, 20 and 27 March before a stoppage to allow for the Easter holidays and national team commitments, following which the competition will resume in May.

ASA vice-president Simon Galea Testaferrata told a news conference that it was only thanks to the great support of the Bank of Valletta that waterpolo competitions are held in Malta.

He said: “The game is perhaps not followed by as many as we wish, but the results obtained by our national team are proof enough that our levels compare favourably with those of several other nations in Europe, especially those of our calibre.

“The BoV sponsorship helps us to take part in the European competitions and now that the agreement is soon reaching its expiry date, we have started negotiations with the bank in the hope of extending and strengthening it. Without such help we certainly cannot improve.”

Galea Testaferrata was substituting Dr Austin Sammut, ASA president, who was indisposed.

He added that the national team this year will be taking part in the European Championships which will have a new format – matches to be played on a home and away basis, starting in October. “This winter league should serve as the perfect stepping stone for the team’s preparation for the qualification tournament being held next month in Istanbul, Turkey,” he added.

Peter Perotti, chief officer at Bank of Valletta said the bank is confident that its support to local waterpolo has helped raise the standard of the game locally. “The bank is proud to be associated with waterpolo, although it also sponsors other major sports events, especially football and basketball.

“This is the third year the bank is sponsoring the winter league and we believe that by means of this sponsorship we are contributing directly towards the development of new talent while at the same time providing a healthy and entertaining environment for all fans.”