AtoZ Electronics Athleta yesterday officially presented their three new players for this season.

Club president Marcel Pisani told reporters that Athleta had always been one of the top clubs in Malta since its inception in 1962, almost 50 years ago. And after the loss of Julian Naudi (through injury) and veteran Silvio Cassar, the club remedied to fill in the vacancies with the arrival of three players – the Schembri brothers Dirk and Steve, as well as Kristin Baldacchino.

The brothers joined from Luxol, while Baldacchino is returning to his first love after one season at Loyola.

He thanked Naudi and Cassar adding that they have a valuable contribution to the club which will remain appreciated.

Pisani added that thanks to these signings, the club was hopeful in continuing on their successful ways and their intention was to be very competitive in the hope of winning all competitions, if that became a possibility.

He believed that with the arrival of these players and the inclusion of such established players as captain Michael Naudi, Addison Bonnici, Etienne Bezzina and Omar Said (all internationals), Athleta should again be among the top clubs this season.

He added that coach Joe Galea was also introducing several interesting and talented youngsters, among them Clayton Calleja, Jonathan Zammit, Mike Giusti and Chris Galea.

Pisani also made reference to the club’s nursery which has produced several good players throughout the years, including coach Galea.

He added that Athleta were the first local club to have played in a European competition when in 1984 they took part in the Korac Cup against French team Avignon.

He said the state of the clubs, especially their financial position, does not enable them to take part in such competitions at present, but they hope to repeat that achievement sometime in future.

He appealed to the association to help the clubs make this beautiful game more popular on these islands and to attract a better following at local matches. “At present the Ta’ Qali pavilion is in a pitiful state and is certainly not conducive to anyone who wishes to watch a basketball match comfortably,” he said.

Pisani said that the most negative aspect was the fact that the club did not yet have its own premises. “We look forward to the day when we will have a club house of our own with training facilities,” he said.

He also appealed to the association to help sort out the controversy over the use of foreign players in local competitions. “The situation is still unclear. We have no problem in getting foreigners or if they are resident in Malta. We are aware that they can provide a spectacle at Ta’ Qali. But the rules have to be clear and specific,” he said.

He then thanked AtoZ Electronics, the club sponsors, who were represented at the news conference by Melvyn Sammut, the firm’s proprietor. It is the fourth year that the firm is sponsoring Athleta.