Colette Sultana continued to gain valuable international experience and became the first Maltese to take part in the prestigious Dutch Junior Open.
The Dutch Junior Open is considered to be one of the top junior tournaments in the world and every year attracts participation from around 400 of the best junior squash players from around the globe. The tournament is held at the Frans Otten Stadion in Amsterdam, a complex housing 21 squash courts
Sultana, who was taking part in the Under 15 Girls category, was not expected to challenge for the top positions and was participating to gauge the level to be reached for next season when she will still be competing in the same age group.
The Maltese girl lost the first three matches against older opponents who were Martha Posseger from England (8-11, 2-11, 7-11), Maria Elena Ubina from USA (6-11, 3-11, 9-11), and Belgian girl Nikita Brant (10-12, 11-7, 11-2, 10-12, 7-11).
Colette then did very well to beat the other two opponents, both from Wales, Nia Kenward (11-8, 11-3, 11-4) and Alice Richards (11-4, 11-2, 11-5), to finish 29th overall from 41 participants.
All semi-finalists in this age group were from outside Europe, with Ka Po Ho and Tze Lok Ho from Hong Kong taking Gold and Bronze respectively, Laila Omar from Egypt taking Silver, and Malaysian girl Vanessa Raj finishing fourth.
The Dutch Junior Open completes this preparatory first year of competing in the Under 15 category for the Maltese junior champion. She is currently ranked 32nd in Europe in this age group and has excellent prospects to move further up the European rankings over the next 12-month period.
Sultana will next month be travelling to Halifax, England where she will be taking part in a Summer Squash Camp under the guidance of Paul Hornsby, England Squash Level 4 Elite coach. This camp will also include sessions with Lee Beachill, a former world no. 1 player.
Sultana is a member of the MOC Centre of Excellence and is receiving support through the MOC Youth Athlete Scheme, Malta Squash and the Marsa Sports Club. Colette is sponsored by Wilson and coached by Paul Lake.