The long-serving president of the Malta Basketball Association, Magistrate Antonio Mizzi, did not contest the last election and a new head has been elected.

Magistrate Mizzi, who served for 14 years, had held on to his post despite being told by the Commission for the Administration of Justice three years ago that he was in breach of the code of ethics for the judiciary.

He had at first intended to run again for the post in the election held last Thursday but then withdrew his candidacy.

The new president is Paul Sultana, with Trevor Degiorgio as his deputy and Joseph Muscat as general secretary.

When contacted, Mr Sultana said the member clubs of the association were unhappy with the way things were being managed and wanted change.

“Apart from the national teams, local basketball is at a low. I, together with my team, have a long-term project to change the present situation. We plan to revamp it because basketball deserves better,” he said.

He said the present basketball facility at Ta’ Qali was just a “hangar”. The plan is to either find an alternative place or upgrade the playing facilities substantially.

“We have turned over a new leaf. We want to improve basketball. A lot of work has to be done but we have a good team with new blood and new energy and we are determined to achieve results,” he said.

In October 2008, the Commission for the Administration of Justice published correspondence it sent to Magistrate Mizzi, as well as Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco, president of the Malta Olympic Committee, over their presidencies of these sport organisations.

It informed them that their position was in breach of the Code of Ethics for the judiciary but both the judge and magistrate had publicly insisted they were doing nothing wrong and that they would not stand down.

Since the proceedings of the Commission, chaired by President George Abela, are heard behind closed doors, no information is available on whether the commission ever followed up this letter with any action.