Competitive season gets underway

The competitive calendar of the local Badminton Association recently got underway with the Individual League. Sponsored by Island Beverages Co. Ltd through its 'H2Only purified drinking water', this event is being played on Sunday mornings at St Martin's College, Swatar. The championship comprises separate singles and doubles sections.

The 40 participants have been graded into five singles and three doubles divisions, according to their standard of play. This ensures that each player would compete against opponents who are, more or less, of the same standard.

This in turn encourages a level playing field, thereby increasing the competition's overall interest and excitement.

Men and women will be competing against each other in the same division, each one of which will be played on a league format.

Each fixture consists of only two sets of 15 points, giving rise to the possibility of a drawn result. Three points are awarded in case of a win whereas a drawn result will yield a point for each player. Players will be promoted and relegated from their respective division, according to their final placing.

Participants will compete in their respective club's name. In the event that two or more players finish on equal points at the top of the table, the winner's title will be awarded according to the overall result of their direct encounter(s).

If this is insufficient, a decider (over the best of three sets) will be played. The same rule applies in case of relegation.

A keen tussle is expected throughout the competition with some very close matches, as the title favourites in each division face the stiff challenge of the outsiders who appear determined to spring a surprise against their more-fancied opponents.

A spokesman for the Badminton Association augured that the event will be played in a spirit of healthy competition and sportsmanship. He also expressed the Association's gratitude to Island Beverages Co. Ltd for their valuable support.

The following are the results of the initial singles fixtures played: M. Farrugia vs S. Salomone 5/15, 5/15; K. Vella vs R. Salomone 15/7, 15/5; T. Xuereb vs B. Zammit 0/15, 0/15; M. Farrugia vs K. Vella 1/15, 3/15; S. Salomone vs R. Salomone 15/5, 15/6; T. Xuereb vs P. Cassar 0/15, 0/15; D. Abdilla vs E. De Giovanni 15/7, 15/4; S. Cali vs R. Attard 2/15, 15/12; M. Borg vs A. Vella 15/11, 15/12; D. Abdilla vs S. Cali 15/6, 15/5; M. Borg vs E. De Giovanni 15/7, 15/12; A. Vella vs R. Attard 15/8, 15/7; F. Farrugia vs J. De Giovanni 0/15, 0/15;

J .Vella vs C. Spiteri 3/15, 3/15; A.Chetcuti vs A .Bezzina 15/6, 13/15; F. Farrugia vs J. Vella 0/15, 0/15; A. Chetcuti vs J. De Giovanni 15/13, 15/5; C. Spiteri vs A. Bezzina 15/13, 9/15; J. Bugeja vs A. Grech 15/4, 15/0; I. Salomone vs J. Bugeja 15/11, 15/9; S. Mifsud vs J. Cutajar 15/2, 15/12; J. Grech vs J. Briffa 2/15, 3/15; S. Meilak vs M. Friggieri 11/15, 2/15; Y. Zarb vs M. Mizzi 3/15, 8/15; S. Mifsud vs J. Grech 9/15, 10/15; S. Meilak vs J. Cutajar 15/2, 15/2; Y. Zarb vs J. Briffa 16/17, 6/15; M. Mizzi vs M. Friggieri 16/17, 9/15.