The Bank of Valletta has signed a three year agreement with the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, recognising Bank of Valletta as the sole sponsor of all local water polo competitions. BOV's sponsorship covers the BOV Water Polo Winter League, the BOV National Water Polo Championship and the BOV Water Polo Knock-Out Competitions. The Bank's sponsorship is also extending to Malta's Naitonal Waterpolo team. Additionally, BOV will also be supporting the awards for best player of the year for the 1st and 2nd Division.

The agreement was signed by Michael Galea, Head at the CEO's Office of Bank of Valletta and Robert Ebejer, President and Remy D'Amato, Secretary General of the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, during a press conference held at Bank of Valletta's Head Office.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Mr. Galea said, "We are delighted to enter into this major sponsorship agreement with the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta". He added that, through this major sponsorship, Bank of Valletta is consolidating its position as the main supporter of the major sports in Malta. "From today, BOV will also be associated with the popular sport of Water Polo in addition to our support of the BOV Knock Out of the Malta Basketball Association and the BOV National Leagues of the Malta Football Association including the BOV Premier League," said Mr. Galea.

"We hope that, through the financial support of Bank of Valletta, the following of Water Polo, which is already a popular sport in Malta, especially in summer, continues to grow and develop. Through our sponsorship, we also hope to help the ASA to continue improving the opportunities available to Maltese Water Polo players to develop their talent and to help in the creation of new opportunities that will raise the level of the game in Malta," said Mr. Galea. "We also hope that our sponsorship enables the ASA to widen the events it organises to also include Water Polo nurseries for young people," added Mr. Galea.

Mr. Galea said that sport is one of the major pillars under the Bank's community programme, through which the Bank gives a percentage of its profits back to the communities in which it operates by supporting worthy programmes and initiatives. "We are sure that our collaboration with the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta will not only result in active promotion and improvement of the game through its exciting and popular leagues but also through the creation of new opportunities for Maltese athletes," concluded Mr Galea.

Mr Ebejer thanked Bank of Valletta for its support, stating that "this sponsorship will ensure that water polo retains its status as one of the most popular sports on the island. From this year we are planning to introduce two new competitions, an age group winter league for males and a female competition during the summer months. Through this sponsorship it was possible for us to engage Sergio Affric as Water Polo Manager, who will be responsible for all the National Water Polo Teams, as well as the setting up of a youth development program.

Mr. Ebejer gave details of the water polo programme for 2008. "The B O V Water Polo Winter League is expected to start in April while the BOV National Water Polo Championship will commence with the preliminary round in June. The final round is expected to commence at the end of July. The BOV 1st & 2nd Division Knockout Competitions will take place during the first week of September. All these competitions will be held at the National Swimming Pool while the Age Group competitions will be held on home and away bases at the various pitches. The Water Polo season will again this year come to an end with an International Tournament."