The start of the 2012 Western Basketball Association’s (WBA) Men’s Basketball Championships has been pushed back to October 14, to avoid a clash with other sporting events, according to organisers.

The league which will be played at the Montego Bay Cricket Club was set to start on October 7, but league coordinator Deon Williams told Observer West that in an effort to give the sponsors as much media exposure as possible, they decided to avoid a clash with the Red Stripe Premier League games that are scheduled for Montego Bay and Frome in Westmoreland.

Meanwhile, Williams said the league has attracted sponsorships from INSPORTS/ Hi-Lyte, as well as National Supplies.

One of the 12 teams that were expected to take part, Holland of Trelawny, has withdrawn.

Last season’s beaten finalists Montego Bay Cricket Club Knights will lead the list of teams taking part, that include six newcomers.

Other teams expected to participate are Montego Bay Boys Club Warriors, Inner-city Avalanche who were demoted from the National Basketball League-west, Trelawny Tornadoes who are back after a one year break, Granville Wolfpack and a revamped Sav Jayhawks.

And the new teams participating in the league are Cornwall Courts, Coral Gardens and four clubs from Trelawny— William Knibb, Muschett High and Rockybar Ballers.