During this month, Badminton Malta will be running the 41st consecutive edition of its national championships.

This event occupies the pride of place in the sporting calendar of this national association, attracting the attention of all its members who flock to see the best local players in action.

As from the 27th edition which was played in 1998, Badminton Malta chose to sub-title this competition as the “Paddy Stubbs Memorial Championships”, in order to keep alive the memory of this great benefactor of Maltese sport.

The Championships will be played mainly at the Cottonera Sports Complex, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7pm onwards. The schedule of play is as usual spread over the five traditional categories of this sport: Men’s Singles and Doubles, Women’s Singles and Doubles as well as Mixed Doubles.

The finals of the Men’s and Women’s Singles as well as of the Men’s Doubles are scheduled to take place at St Martin’s College, Swatar, on 1 May from 10am onwards.

Due to the comparatively large number of participants, the Men’s Singles category will start with a Preliminary Round. The winner of this platonic title will then proceed to the second stage of the competition where he will necessarily face stronger opposition in order to make further headway.

In this category, defending champion Stefan Salomone will have to face once again the challenge posed by eternal rival Kenneth Vella, whom he had defeated in two straights sets in last year’s final.

Nevertheless, the likes of David Cole, Aldo Polidano, Samuel Cali, Edmond Abela and Stephen Ferrante are expected to have an important say in the ultimate destiny of this national title.

In the Women’s Singles, defending champion Maria Borg must similarly come to terms with Fiorella Marie Sadowski, whom she had overcome in last year’s final only at the end of a thrilling three-set match.

Nevertheless, the likes of Tiziana Mifsud, Dominique and Catriona Francica, Jacqueline Degiovanni, Diane Galea, Jacqueline Licari, Marica Micallef and Klara O’Berg are expected to leave their mark and to equally play an important role in this category.

The three Doubles categories should similarly see a tight contest during which the participants will do their utmost to turn the tables and spring a surprise on the 2011 national title winners.