Despite the high ambient temperature in August, Badminton Malta recently organised a Singles competition for all its junior members and their friends, aged up to 16 years, at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

Participants were divided into four separate groups, based on their age as well as on their standard of play. This ensured a level playing field and enhanced the excitement of the competition. It also ensured that the competitors all played a minimum number of matches and were not eliminated after their first defeat.

Under the watchful eye of their parents as well as of their coaches, the participants enthusiastically played their hearts out in a healthy competitive environment.

Three players ended their commitments in Group 1 at the top of the table. They were Owen Grech, Nathan Zahra and Matthew Sammut.

Grech won the platonic title of this Group due to his healthier points difference (+57) over Zahra (+38), who was second, and Sammut (+33) who placed third.

Group 2 was won by Andrew Micallef, who finished unbeaten with maximum points. Dominique Francica took second place while her twin sister Catriona was third.

Luke Sultana was the winner of Group 3, in which he similarly preserved his unbeaten status to end his commitments with maximum points. He was followed by Sam Cassar while Mark Abela was third.

The Group 4 title was taken by Kateryna Suprunenko, a Ukrainian national who is permanently based in Malta. Mikela Borg took the runner-up berth while Nigel Degaetano was third.

At the end of the competition, the winners were presented with their trophies while all the other participants were given a token of this summer sporting event.

Badminton Malta expressed its satisfaction at the high standard of play shown by all the participants in this festival, while confirming its commitment to support their continued development in future.