The ASSIKURA Mixed Doubles Individual League 2022/23
The ASSIKURA Mixed Doubles League 2023, powered by VICTOR, has been an exciting event for local badminton enthusiasts. The league consisted of three divisions made up by 6 pairs each that played against each other in a round-robin format.
The league was held at the Kirkop Sports Complex, where all the matches were played. The games started on March 11, 2023, and concluded today.
At the end of the league, Matthew Galea and Elenia Haber emerged as the winners with a total of 9 points from 5 matches. They won 4 of their 5 matches, which included defeating Mark Abela and Michaela Ellul, the second-placed team, in a closely contested match that ended 21-17, 21-19. The third-placed team was Nigel Degaetano and Lauren Azzopardi, who won 6 points from 5 matches.
Diego Scalvini and Ann Marie Bezzina, Jeremy Gatt and Martina Clark, and Isaac Ellul and Sarah Azzopardi were placed fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively.
Amongst different matches, on the first day, Mark Abela and Michaela Ellul defeated Nigel Degaetano and Lauren Azzopardi in a close match that ended 21-18, 21-19. Matthew Galea and Elenia Haber defeated Diego Scalvini and Ann Marie Bezzina in a closely contested match that ended 21-18, 21-19. Matthew Galea and Elenia Haber defeated Mark Abela and Michaela Ellul in a closely contested match that ended 21-17, 21-19, a game that ended up deciding the league’s final standing.
On the final day, Diego Scalvini and Ann Marie Bezzina tied in a closely contested match against Nigel Degaetano and Lauren Azzopardi that ended 20-22, 21-18. Matthew Galea and Elenia Haber won a match against Jeremy Gatt and Martina Clark that ended 21-14, 21-8, who despite their very young age, fought for each point against the champions. As the results suggest, many matches were very competitive and the level of play was very balanced and rendered this League a success.
In the second division Jahan Ahmed Sumon and Alida Borg secured the top position with 8 points after playing their 5 matches. They won three matches and tied 2 and managed to accumulate a total of 201 points while conceding only 116 points. Gobinath Siva and Maria Angela Gambin secured the second position with 7 points after winning two out of their five matches. Chris Spiteri and Christabel Cachia finished third with 6 points after winning two matches and losing one. Raymond Cheong and Mary Roshel Galleposo finished fourth with 5 points, while Youen Jiang and Cara Maria Buhagiar secured the fifth position with 4 points. Akshay Mepparamban and Nashelle Zammit were at the bottom of the standings.
In Div. 3 Juan Casaru and Jodie Gafa’ Craus stayed comfortably at the top of the table with ten points after winning all five of their matches, scoring 210 points and conceding only 76. Behind them are Dayle Bugelli and Suzie Gafa Craus, who have eight points, having won four out of their five matches and lost only to the Champions. Keith Tabone and Thea Pace finished in third place with six points, having won three of their five matches, while Matias Casaru and Rosaleen Thenner Caruana, Jacob Busuttil and Salome Buttigieg, and Eren Albeniz and Jade Fenech occupy the fourth, fifth, and sixth positions, respectively.
The league provided an opportunity for players to showcase their skills and compete against some of the best players in the country. It was a great success, and the players and local badminton followers enjoyed watching the matches. Everyone now looks forward to more competitions and opportunities to mingle and compete in official Badminton Malta events.