These championships have been a regular feature on Badminton Malta’s seasonal calendar for several years and are eagerly awaited by the emerging junior talents within its ranks. This event enables them to gauge their individual progress on a national scale whilst motivating them to higher achievement in their standard of play.

Badminton Malta recently organised the U/13 and U/16 categories of this national event at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

In contrast to previous years, this season’s edition was played on a round robin basis. Additionally, each fixture consisted of only two sets, thereby creating the possibility of a drawn result. A point was awarded for each set won.

This is because it was generally felt that it would certainly dampen the young participants’ enthusiasm for the game were they to be eliminated in the initial rounds of a knock out competition.

This new format therefore provided the participants with the chance to play several matches, making up for an unexpected setback by trying harder in the next match.

Max Schroeder won the U/13 Boys’ Singles title, having remained undefeated throughout the entire competition. Nathan Zahra, whose only defeat was against the title winner, took the runner-up spot.

Lisa Formosa took the U/13 Girls’ Singles title; Clarissa Grech followed in second place.

The U/16 Boys’ Singles title was taken by Andre Grech who preserved his unbeaten status throughout the competition. Terence Gatt took the runner-up berth.

In the U/16 Girls’ Singles, Daniela Galea prevailed over the other contestants without sustaining any defeat; Katia Pullicino was second, having lost her only match against the title winner.

The Doubles event was focussed entirely on the U/16 Girls’ Doubles where the title was won by Julianne Cassar and Cheryl Dimech.

Badminton Malta expressed its general satisfaction at the skilful standard of play exhibited by all the participants throughout this national event. The association expressed its gratitude to EuroSport for its valid support in staging these championships, which will now continue with the U/19 event in the near future.