The year 2016 is set to be a fruitful and memorable one for 17-year-old, Matthew Abela. During this year, he became the youngest Singles National Champion in Maltese Badminton. He has successfully participated in various camps and international tournaments, obtaining promising and encouraging results.

However, this is definitely not the finish line, it is just the beginning of what Matthew wants out of badminton. He is now determined to take it a step further.

Way back in September, Badminton Europe started an initiative to continue investing in the best European Badminton Players by starting up a High-Performance Centre called the Badminton Europe Centre of Excellence, with the aim of creating “Future Stars”. Badminton Malta nominated its players and Matthew Abela was chosen to be part of a Pre-Selection Camp happening this week in Vejen, Denmark.

Yesterday afternoon Abela left Malta to start this new adventure overseas, in Vejen.

Badminton Europe will be choosing players to be part of this Centre, where young high-level players can live and train daily under Badminton Europe’s flag. In this pre-selection camp, 33 players and 4 coaches from 21 countries will participate in training, individual interviews and evaluation meetings.

We are sure Matthew will give his best shot at this unique opportunity and will be doing his best, as always, to be amongst the chosen ones to be part of this ambitious project.

Badminton Malta wishes Matthew all the best in this International adventure!