Promising players share limelight in championship

The National Championship is an established regular feature in the seasonal calendar of Badminton Malta. It focuses the spotlight on the emerging talents within the junior ranks and motivates participants to higher achievement.

The championship got underway recently with the U-13 and U-16 events.

Matthew Abela and 2008 runner-up Luigi Grech made it to the final of the boys U-13.

In the semi-finals, Abela beat Sam Cassar 21-6 21-7 and Grech had the better of Mark Abela 21-18 24-26 21-13.

In the final, it was Abela who took the title when he overcame Grech's challenge 21-6 21-10.

The equivalent girls' singles title was won by Clarissa Grech who beat Sacha Cini 21-9 21-8 in the final.

Owen Grech, the 2008 U-13 title-holder, this year competed in the U-16 category where he made it to the final. In the semis, Grech ousted Matthew Sammut 21-19 16-21 21-17. In the final, Grech beat David Portelli 21-18 21-12.

Defending champion Daniela Galea retained the girls' U-16 singles title against Atlanta Cochrane 21-6 21-4.

The boys U-16 doubles title was won by Portelli/Grech who combined well to overcome Nathan Zahra/Gerd Xuereb 21-14 21-8.

The girls' title went to Cochrane/Lisa Formosa who beat Petra Grech/Cristina Muscat 21-6 21-9.

In a statement, Badminton Malta expressed its satisfaction at the high standard of play reached by all the participants as well as the sporting attitude shown throughout the entire competition, noting that this augured well for the future.