For the first time in their history, Serbia will have its own basketball championship when the season tips-off on Saturday.

Formerly held as a joint competition with neighbours Montenegro, the two countries officially split on June 3 this year after a successful referendum allowed Montenegro to gain its independence, followed by Serbia on June 5.

The first chapter in the Serbian Nasa Sinalco Liga begins with a preliminary phase, where 12 teams will battle through 22 rounds for four places in the elite Superleague.

There, they will be joined by the country's top four clubs from last season, champions Partizan, Red Star, FMP and Hemofarm, who are currently competing in the regional Adriatic League.

Amongst the 12 teams participating in the initial Nasa Liga, Vojvodina Srbijagas will be the only one taking part in the EuroCup which gets under way next month.

"We won tournaments in Tuzla, Sofia and defeated German champions (RheinEnergie Koln) during our preparation in their country. Our self-confidence is bigger and we are prepared for a new season," said Vojvodina captain Ivan Ivanovic.

The team, who acquired the signature of Red Star forward Cedomir Vitkovac and Hungarian international Istvan Nemeth are confident ahead of the new campaign.

"Our goal is clear," said club president Marko Krstin. 

"We have the best squad in the Nasa Liga, and we want to be first in it." Novi Sad are another team who will be strong favourite for promotion due to their impressive results during the summer.

But while some sides strengthened their on-field departments, others chose to bolster their backroom staff.

One of those such clubs is Radnicki, who have opted for a former star as their new mentor.

Drazen Dalipagic, who was named the European Player of the Year in 1977, 1978 and 1980 as well as earning 12 medals in European, World and Olympic competition, will be their expert councillor for the forthcoming season.

"I'm delighted to work in a sporting city such as Kragujevac. Now I'll do my best to fulfil my wish of club management," he said.

"I won't be on the bench, I won't be there for big decisions, but I'll be there to give advice based on my experience," said Dalipagic, whose four medals in the World Championships are a FIBA record.

The weekend schedule is as follows:
Radnicki v Ergonom
Masinac v Zdravlje
Novi Sad v Mega Ishrana
Napredak Rubin v Vojvodina Srbijagas
Borac v Sloga Societe Generale
Swisslion Takovo v Beograd