Juniors show talent in championship

The championship for juniors is an established annual feature in the annual calendar of Badminton Malta. It primarily serves to focus the spotlight on the emerging talents within the association’s junior ranks.

The championship started with the U-13 and U-16 singles and doubles events, which were played at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

Defending U-13 champion Matthew Abela again made it to the final where he faced the challenge of Nigel Degaetano.

On his way to the final, Abela eliminated Luke Sultana and Mark Abela in straight sets.

Degaetano had a more arduous path as he had to initially overcome Zach Sultana before proceeding to defeat Matthew Galea and the 2009 runner-up Luigi Grech.

Degaetano maintained his positive momentum in the final and made the U-13 title his own when he overcame Abela 21-19 21-15.

The girls’ U-13 title was won by Sacha Cini. She beat Shannon McEvoy 21-4 21-5 in the final.

The U-16 boys’ final was contested by Kyle Sciberras and Matthew Abela.

To reach the final, Sciberras had first ousted defending champion Owen Grech 18-21 27-25 21-19 before proceeding to oust Cain Gatt in straight sets. On his part, Abela overcame the challenge of Luigi Grech and Reece Galea.

Sciberras eventually claimed the title when he beat Abela 21-9 22-20.

The girls’ U-16 final saw Joanna Ciantar take on Atlanta Cochrane. The former beat Lisa Formosa and Sarah Debono in previous rounds while Cochrane had overcome Petra Grech and Clarissa Grech.

Ciantar went on to clinch the honours with a 21-8 21-10 victory over Cochrane.

The U-16 boys’ doubles title was won by Nigel Degaetano and Kyle Sciberras who combined well to overcome the challenge of Owen Grech and Matthew Abela, 21-17 21-19.

The girls’ title was retained by defending champions Atlanta Cochrane and Lisa Formosa. In the final they beat Petra Grech and Clarissa Grech 21-18 21-12.