PRESS RELEASE

Badminton - Mixed League:

Positive Start for B’Kara.

In addition to its Individual League, Badminton Malta is enhancing its competitive schedule for this season with the organisation of its usual Team League, fondly known among the enthusiasts as the “Mixed League”.

This season’s edition will once again see the best two local teams – defending champions B’Kara BC and their challengers Pawla Wolves Assikura – play each other five times over four months in order to establish the winner of the Team Championship title.

These five matches will all take place at the Cottonera Sports Complex on Wednesday evenings, starting at 7:00pm.

Each match is made up of five separate games, which are played in this order: Mixed Doubles, Men’s and Women’s Singles as well as Men’s and Women’s Doubles.

B’Kara had quite a positive start to this five-match series by winning the first encounter against the Paolites 4-1.

The match showed the determination of both teams to excel over their opponents as both sets of players gave their all to start their championship commitments on the right foot.

B’Kara showed their intentions from the very outset when they won the opening Mixed Doubles through Robert Salomone / Fiorella Farrugia who defeated Kenneth Vella / Catherine Dimech over two sets with these scores: 22/20 and 21/13.

However, Pawla Wolves reacted quickly to draw level and put the match on an even keel.

This they did through Boris Lalov, who was loaned to the Wolves for this Mixed League by Msida Arrows BC; the Bulgarian won his Men’s Singles over Stefan Salomone 23/21 and 21/17.

However, B’Kara recovered from this setback and proceeded to take the three remaining games.

Maria Borg put B’Kara ahead by winning the Women’s Singles in which she defeated Dominique Francica 21/14 and 21/16.

She was followed by brothers Robert and Stefan Salomone who took the Men’s Doubles at the expense of Kenneth Vella / Boris Lalov whom they defeated 21/14 and 22/20.

With the partial score now 3-1 in their favour, B’Kara proceeded to take also the remaining Women’s Doubles in which Fiorella Farrugia / Maria Borg had the better of Catherine Dimech / Joanne Cassar to wrap up the match with a 4-1 final score for B’Kara.

This positive start for B’Kara will certainly strengthen their self-confidence as they bid to retain the national championship for yet another season.

On their part, Pawla Wolves Assikura – with four matches still left to play – retain the chance to make up for their initial uncertain start.

This they can do next Wednesday when the two teams meet again for their second encounter in the five-match series.

A win for the Wolves would do wonders to their morale while putting them back in the title race.

On the other hand, a win for B’Kara would give them a clear psychological edge over the Paolites whilst putting them one short step away from reaching their target for this season.

A tough but sporting match between these two rival sides is therefore expected next Wednesday at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

John Attard General Secretary Badminton Malta

12th March 2011.