The Malta Junior Nationals is an annual badminton tournament that brings together some of the islands’ best young talent. The event, this year held at St. Aloysius College Sports hall, provides a platform for our junior players to showcase their abilities, compete against one another, and gain valuable experience.

The tournament is open to juniors aged 19 and under, with singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events.

The Malta Junior Nationals not only gives young players the opportunity to compete, but it also helps to develop and grow the sport in Malta. The tournament aids in the identification of future stars as well as opportunities for coaching and training.

In addition to competition, the Malta Junior Nationals allow players to meet and socialize with one another. The tournament fosters a sense of community among players as well as a love of the sport. The event also provides an excellent opportunity for players to meet new people and share their love of badminton.

This year’s edition highlights, the Gafa’ Craus sisters showed their potential and managed to win the singles and the doubles in the Under 13 category. In the singles, Jodie and Suzie made it to the final where Jodie won 21-16, 21-18 .

In the Under 15 category Martina Clark was the happy face of the tournament with 3 gold medals. In the singles category, Martina made it to the finals after winning against Jodie Gafa’ Craus and Monique Vella and in the final she faced Emily Abela where she won 21-13, 21-17. In the doubles category the finalists were paired together and won the final against Jade Fenech and Salome Buttigieg and in the mixed doubles category Martina Clark won the title together with her partner Jeremy Gatt.

All in all it was another opportunity for all these youngster to continue having the so important experience needed to improve and compete in bigger events both in the local and international setting. Badminton Malta looks forward for bigger and more popular junior events with an increased participation from all the junior levels at the Badminton Malta National Academy. Well done to all participants and winners!