Salomone, Cassar to defend national titles
The 37th National Championships, sponsored by EuroSport, is currently in progress at the Cottonera Sports Complex and St Martin's College. It will come to its end with the finals on May 1. Since the 27th edition of the nationals, held in 1998,...
The 37th National Championships, sponsored by EuroSport, is currently in progress at the Cottonera Sports Complex and St Martin's College. It will come to its end with the finals on May 1.
Since the 27th edition of the nationals, held in 1998, Badminton Malta ( www.badmintonmalta.org ) has sub-titled this competition as the Paddy Stubbs Memorial, in memory of this well-known philanthropist and sports benefactor.
In view of the number of participants, the men's singles started with a preliminary round. Regular players like Michael Bugeja, Albert Bezzina, Samuel Cali, Brian Zammit, Ivan Salomone and George Camilleri, together with veterans Patrick Cassar, Rodney Abela, Anthony Xuereb and Martin Farrugia, are expected to do their utmost to secure a share of the limelight in this initial qualifying round.
The top three will then proceed to the main round to face tougher opposition provided by the more experienced players.
Defending champion Stefan Salomone is determined to hang on to his crown for yet another season. However, he will first have to come to terms with the title aspirations of his own brother, second seed Robert Salomone, last season's finalist.
Stiff competition is similarly expected from the likes of Kenneth Vella, David Cole and Aldo Polidano.
Joanne Cassar is the title-holder in the ladies' singles. Players like Catherine Dimech, Daniela Galea, Maria Borg and Fiorella Farrugia are expected to liven up the proceedings in their attempt to foil the title-holder's plans to defend her crown.
The championships will also include the doubles and mixed doubles.