Hall of Fame

Franci Bugeja worked for over 50 years within the Malta Billiards and Snooker Association first as a secretary ad eventually as a president of the same association. He was the first Maltese Billiards referee to ever control a final of the World Championships that were held in Malta in 1971. In 1994 he was the co-founder and first president of the Malta Billiards and Snooker Referees' Association. From 1990 he was the only examiner for prospective Maltese Billiards and Snooker referees. In 2018 he was part of the founding team of the modern Academy of Snooker that was opened in Hamrun. In 2015, 2018 and 2020 Francis Bugeja was instrumental and had an important role in the organisation of five prestigious World and European Snooker Championships.

In his youth, Mario Meli was active in different sports including football, table tennis, snooker, basketball, badminton, waterpolo and rowing but he shined mostly in athletics where he was a national champion in the 800 and 1500 yards. He was also a football referee for 8 years and coach in multiple sports disciplines. Mario Meli started sports journalism at the age of 20 years old and after 2 years his voice could be heard on the Redifusion, the local radio at the time. From 1975 until recently he was contributing with sports journalism on TVM where he recorded hundreds of sports programmes on local media, made interviews with multiple sports personalities, attended a number of conferences on sports journalism abroad and made reports on the most prestigious games both on a national and international dimension. Mario Meli was also an author of multiple books on sports history. 9 years ago he founded the Masters Football Malta. Amongst a number of roles, Mario Meli served for 15 years on the council of the Malta Football Association and 5 years on the Executive Committee of the Maltese Olympic Committee.

John Tabone comes from a sporting family with his dad, son and brother all involved in sport. Mr Tabone started playing basketball in his childhood. In 1968 he was a founding member of Luxol Basketball Club and played with his team almost 180 times over a 15 year period. During these years, he and his team of Luxol won the national championships for 13 times.

In 1979 John Tabone started his coaching career which endured for 40 years, 8 of which as a national team coach. He was the coach of the Maltese National Team that won the first medal (bronze) for Basketball in the Games of the Small States of Europe in San Marino 1985 and repeated the same success 2 years later in Monaco. In 1991 he won the awards of the official of the year.

Gordon Asciak started playing tennis at the age of 9 years. From the age of ten Gordon took part in numerous junior tournaments in the UK and won many prestigious tournaments. The results gave him the right to represent Malta at Junior Wimbledon in 1979. Gordon has been Malta Champion from 1978 till 1991, a record of 13 consecutive years.
He represented Malta in three editions of the European Junior Championships held in Czechoslavakia, Sweden and France beating junior champions from Greece, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Holland and Belgium. In year 1981 Gordon was awarded a scholarship at San Diego State University and after 2 years he decided to play full time tennis.
From year 1984 till 1998 he played in the German league with TC Hof and won a number of 104 matches from a total of 112 matches. During those 14 years, Gordon was twice voted as the best doubles player in the Upper Bavarian Region. He represented Malta in the Dais Cup, winning 17 singles matches and 20 doubles matches. The Malta Davis Cup team won twice promotion in year 1995 and year 1999 respectively.
It is important to note that together with his son Matthew Asciak, he was the first father and son to ever play a Davis Cup match in year 1999. In the Small Nations Games Gordon won the Gold Medal in Malta in year 1993, the silver medal in year 1995 at Luxembourg, the Bronze Medal in Liechtenstein in year 1999 and Bronze Medal in year 2001 at San Marino.
Beside all the above Gordon represented Malta in the European Seniors Championships where he beat some top tennis Nations like Bulgaria and Norway.
In year 2002 he decided to stop playing competitively and opened the first tennis academy in Malta, known as ‘The Gordon Asciak Tennis Academy’. During a period of over 17 years he has coached and produced most of Malta’s top players including his son Matthew. The latter managed to achieve the number 4 ranking in Europe for the U14 category. The Gordon Asciak Tennis Academy today caters for over 350 junior players. In year 2010 he opened the first two indoor tennis courts in Malta.
In year 2019 he was instrumental in bringing to Malta the Ten Pro Global Junior tour which attracted over 200 players, making it one of the biggest tennis events ever held in Malta.
Today Gordon runs the tennis academy and oversees the training of our top juniors. Gordon has the British LTA Level 2 of coaching and the ITF Level 2 of coaching.

Born on the 12th January 1964, Gerald DeGaetano was only four days away from celebrating his 54th birthday before passing away sudden passing.
In the 80s and 90s he dominated the local athletics’ scene particularly in the 5,000metres and 10,000 metres. Throughout his career he took part in three editions of the Games of the Small States of Europe – Monaco (1987), Cyprus (1989) where he won a Bronze Medal in the 10,000 metres. His time of 31 minutes, 21.04 seconds saw him broke the national record and becoming the first medal winner in athletics. He went on to win a silver medal in the same discipline in Andorra in 1991.
In June 1991, he represented Malta in the Mediterranean Games whilst on the 30th August, he competed in the IAAF World Championships in Tokyo – there he established national records on the 5,000metres (15:31.08) and in the 10,000metres (31:3.21)
For a n umber of years he was a regular participant in the Malta Half Marathon. In February 1990 he established the record of 1 hour 7 minutes 19 seconds. A record that stood until February 2020. He was also a two time winner of the Mdina 2 Spinola in 1987 and in 1990.
As of 2000, Gerald started competing in Kayak events. His prowess saw him compete, in 2003, in the World Flatwater Championships, held in Gainsville, Georgia, USA in the 500m and 1000m distances.
In 2014, he formed part of the Maltese Olympic Committee’s Athletes Commission.

Since the start of weightlifting in Malta back in 1975, Alfred Ellul Mercer along with Charles Mifsud, was fundamental in developing the sport of weightlifting in Malta.
Over a span of 45 years Alfred Ellul Mercer served in various positions on the Malta Weightlifting committee, from Treasurer to General Secretary and then on to President. He was instrumental in the organization of high international competitions like Commonwealth Championships and European Championships.
He is also a certified International Category 1 referee where he refereed and judged high level competitions both locally and abroad.
After the sudden loss of the founder Charles Mifsud, he took over the helm of the association for the position of President. It was not an easy decision to take as it was a great responsibility to continue with the flourishing of the sport of weightlifting in Malta. He did this with great responsibility and dedication.
In 2010 the Malta weightlifting executive committee and their members honoured him with the position of Honorary President of the Malta Weightlifting Association. His exceptional contribution still flourishes today and is still progressing and continuing to bring success to this sport.
In line with all this he has been a member of the Federazzjoni Maltija Lotta since 1975. He occupied various positions and was involved in organizing many International Competitions. He is still involved in Wrestling and is presently occupying the role of Treasurer.

The current president of the Malta Cycling Federation, he has been a tireless worker in the cycling field. During his competitive career he not only represented Malta in a number of international events but also spent three years with Sicilian Club – GS Lampolet, in Catania.
Throughout the years, he dedicated a lot of energy towards the BMX Malta Association, of which he has been its president since its founding. His work has managed to attract thousands of young people to the sport along the years.
His sporting career goes back from when he was very young and raced for a number of clubsm namely - Qormi CC, Floriana CC, GS Lampolet and the National Team.
After retiring from competitive cycling he thrust himself into administration and coaching, leading the National Team in the Games of the Small States of Europe, held in Andorra in 1991. He is also a co-founder of the International Tour ta’ Malta.
Throughout the years, he has collected a number of honours – most of them in Sicily. Some of the most memorable moments were with the National Team when they competed in the Mediterranean Games – Tunis, 1967 and the pre-Olympic events in Munich in 1971. As a member of the Cycling Federation he served as a Vice President for a number of years. In 2002 he was elected a President of the Federation, a post he holds on to till this very day.
Throughout the years, his efforts to develop cycling have been recognised by various entities – such as the Merit Award by the UEC (Union Européenne de Cyclisme), the People’s Choice Award during the 2016 Sports Awards.

Albert Chun was the person who introduced competitive gymnastics to Malta in 1993 and was also the founder of the Malta Gymnastics Federation. He brought with him over 35 years of international exposure to the sport. Through his tutelage, Maltese gymnasts were able to compete in Mediterranean Games, Island Games, Games of the Small States of Europe, European, Commonwealth and World Championships, producing some good results along the way.
He represented Malta in three editions of the European Junior Championships held in Czechoslavakia, Sweden and France beating junior champions from Greece, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Holland and Belgium. In year 1981 Gordon was awarded a scholarship at San Diego State University and after 2 years he decided to play full time tennis.
From year 1984 till 1998 he played in the German league with TC Hof and won a number of 104 matches from a total of 112 matches. During those 14 years, Gordon was twice voted as the best doubles player in the Upper Bavarian Region. He represented Malta in the Dais Cup, winning 17 singles matches and 20 doubles matches. The Malta Davis Cup team won twice promotion in year 1995 and year 1999 respectively.
It is important to note that together with his son Matthew Asciak, he was the first father and son to ever play a Davis Cup match in year 1999. In the Small Nations Games Gordon won the Gold Medal in Malta in year 1993, the silver medal in year 1995 at Luxembourg, the Bronze Medal in Liechtenstein in year 1999 and Bronze Medal in year 2001 at San Marino.
Beside all the above Gordon represented Malta in the European Seniors Championships where he beat some top tennis Nations like Bulgaria and Norway.
In year 2002 he decided to stop playing competitively and opened the first tennis academy in Malta, known as ‘The Gordon Asciak Tennis Academy’. During a period of over 17 years he has coached and produced most of Malta’s top players including his son Matthew. The latter managed to achieve the number 4 ranking in Europe for the U14 category. The Gordon Asciak Tennis Academy today caters for over 350 junior players. In year 2010 he opened the first two indoor tennis courts in Malta.
In year 2019 he was instrumental in bringing to Malta the Ten Pro Global Junior tour which attracted over 200 players, making it one of the biggest tennis events ever held in Malta.
Today Gordon runs the tennis academy and oversees the training of our top juniors. Gordon has the British LTA Level 2 of coaching and the ITF Level 2 of coaching.

Emanuel Mangani has been actively involved in Basketball for the past forty years, during which he demonstrated high values and commitment to the sport. As a local referee he has refereed top local games, demonstrating high values and respecting fair play. He has been a guiding light for coaches, players and officials throughout. In 2007 he qualified as FIBA Commissioner, regularly officiating international games since then.

Melissa Anastasi has a numerous list of accolades and championships titles since she started the sport at the age of sixteen. She has won several Medals in her participation in various editions of the Mediterranean (Silver and Gold), Commonwealth (Silver and Bronze) and European Championships (Gold) both as an individual competitor and when competing in Ladies and Mixed Doubles.

Jovin Rausi has been actively involved in Sailing, both as a competitor, organiser and official since 1975. He has held many offices in sailing which include Founding Member and Commodore of Għadira Sailing Club, President of the Malta Sailing Federation, and Malta Boating Association, International Jury Member of the Martini Middle Sea Races in the early 80s, as well as Chairman of the 1998 and 1999 Middle Sea Races as well as a member of the Maltese Olympic Committee. He Event Director for Sailing at the 1993 and 2003 GSSE held in Malta.

Antonio Briguglio has many years of experience in sports circles not only as an athlete but also as a referee and administrator.

His career with the Malta Football Association saw involvement spanning from 1960 until 1986. As a referee as well as a member of the FIFA/UEFA Panels, he led 18 international games as well as 68 games at Club Level. He was voted Referee of the year for four times.

Throughout these years he was also involved with a number of local Associations including the Malta Basketball Association, Malta Table Tennis Association, Malta Amateur Athletics Asscoation, Federazjoni Klabbs tal-Boċċi, Malta Billiards & Snooker Association and the Malta Cycling Federation.

He also worked in the media both as a presenter and analyst on Television and Radio and was a member of the Executive board of the Għaqda Kittieba Sport as well as the Maltese Olympic Committee between 1984 and 1990.

His name is synonymous with billiards and snooker, a sport in which he competed wiht major success for over forty years.

In 1987, in the Billiards World Championships, held in Belfast, he was runner up to Geet Sehti. In the same year, in India he was also runner up in the Snooker World Championships against Darren Morgan. Ten years later he won the World Championship title when he won against Ashok Shandilya.

Throughout the years he won many titles including the Team Continental Cup in 1997, 1998 and 2000. In 2005 he won the European Team Championship title for Snooker whilst in 2011 he won the European Masters title.

Minn meta bdiet l-isquash fl-1980, bejn l-1982 – 2011 kienet Champion ta’ Malta ghal 23 darba. Bejn l-1987 u l-1991 kienet in-numru 1 fl-Italja fejn rebħet 4 edizzjonijiet tat-Tournament tas-Sitt Nazzjonijiet. Bejn l-1991 – 2003 fil-European Small Nations Group Tournament għhal 10 darbiet rebħet deħeb ghal Malta. Fit-tim nazzjonali tan-nisa rebħet id-deħeb fil-Logħob tal-Pajiżi żgħar fl-2003 f’Malta u fl-2011 fil-Liechtenstein.Fl-2007 u fl-2008 suċċess simili fil-European Challenge Cup. Fl-2012 u fl-2015 kienet parti mit-tim Nazzjonali li spiċċa l-ewwel post fit-tielet diviżjoni u promoss fit-tieni diviżjoni. Fl-aħħar kompetizzjoni tal-2015 fis-Slovenja ħabbret li rtirat.Fl-2013-14 saret Champion tal-Ewropa għal Atleti ta’ l’fuq minn 50 sena. Hija wkoll kowċ kwalifikat kif wkoll Scrabble Champion ta’ Malta ghal 10 snin konsekuttivi.

Beda karriera fil-billiards u snooker fl-eta’ ta’ 7 snin f’St.Philip Band Club, Haz-Zebbug. Wara li fl-1963 rebah il-Boys League, kien il-bidu ta’ karrierra ta’ rebh ta; Kampjonati Nazzjonali tal-Billiards u snooker fis-settur internazzjonali jibqa ghalih il-qofol tal-karriera. Fl-1969 iddebutta fil-Kampjonat tad-Dinja tal-billiards f’ Londra u sena wara fl-iskozja. Fl-1976 tilef il-finali fil-Kampjonat tad-dinja tas-Snooker meta tilef kontra Mountjoy. Mid-dizappunt fl-edizzjoni tal-1978 li saret f’Malta fl-1979 rebah il-Kampjonat tad-Dinja tal-Billiards u fl-1985 u fl-1986 rebah il-kampjonat tad-Dinja tas-Snooker. Maghzul ghal erba’ darbiet bhala Sportiv tas-Sena filwaqt li fl-1980 inghata l-Medalja ghal Qadi tar-Repubblika.

Karriera ta’ suċċessi fil-judo li bdiet fl-1990 bir-rebħ tal-Olympic Youth Fest u l-Kampjonati tal-Ewropa għall-Pajjiżi Żgħar. Rebbieħa ta’ bosta edizzjonijiet tal-Malta Open tal-Judo. Il-qofol tal-karriera jibqa bir-rebħ ta’ tlett medalji tad-deheb għal Malta fil-Logħob tal-Istati Żgħar tal-Ewropa fl-1993 f’Malta, fl-1995 fil-Lussemburgu u fl-1997 fl-Iżlanda. Dejjem preżenti fit-tim Nazzjonali Malti tal-Judo fil-kompetizzjonijiet ewlenin fl-Ewropa. Fl-1992 irrappreżentat lil Malta fil-Logħob tal-Commonwealth li sar f’Cardiff, Wales. Runner-up fl-Isportiva tas-sena fl-1993 izda pattiet meta saret l-Isportiva tas-sena fl-1995.

Wara li fl-1956 rebah il-Kampjonat taz-zghazagh, fl-1960 kien parti mill-kontingent Malti li ha sehem fl-ewwel edizzjoni tal-ParaOlimpjadi f’Ruma. Wasal sal-finali tas-Singles tat-table tennis fejn safa meghlub mit-Taljan Giovanni Berghella sabiex kiseb il-medalja tal-fidda f’dawn il-ParaOlimpjadi. Minn dan is-success dam ghal 20 sena fost l-ewwel erba’ players f’pajjizna fejn flimkien ma huh Paul ghal diversi snin wasal sal finali tad-doubles. Kien membru tal-Malta Civil Service Table Tennis club u Athleta Juvenis li maghhom temm il-karriera. Ha sehem fil-Kampjonati tal-Ewropa li kienu saru f’ Lyon, Franza fl-1968

Bla dubju l-aktar persuna li dam fl-amministrazzjoni tal-footbal Malti b’karriera ta’ aktar minn 65 sena. Ikkwalifika bhala referee tal-football fl-1945 fejn fl-1951 gie elett Segretarju u fl-1956 lahaq President tal-Malta Football Referees Association.Attenda u mexxa bosta korsijiet fir-refereeing . Fl-1961 kiena wiehed mill-ewwel tlett referees illi tpoggew fil-lista tal-FIFA. Wara li fl-1964-65 ikkontrolla tlett partiti internazzjonali inghata il-FIFA Badge. Kien l-ewwel referee Malti li kontrolla finali tal-Kampjonat Libjan fis-snin 60. Irreffja numru kbir ta’ partiti internazzjonali barra pajjizna filwaqt li l-Malta rreffja xejn anqas minn 5 finali tal-FA Trophy u 3 finali tal-Cassar Cup.

Fl-1993 inghata il-Medalja ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika. Sentejn ilu kien inhatar bhala Membru Onorarju tal-MFA.

Sinonimu mal-ibburdjar f’pajjizna wara karriera fil-football ma’ Rabat u membru fundatur tal-Assocjazzjoni Sport Muturi. Ghal aktar minn 20 sena xandar u direttur ta’ programmi marbuta mil-ibburdjar u sport tal-bahar fost dawn il-programm ‘Starboard;. Eks President tal-Federazzjoni Maltija tal-Powerboats kif wkoll eks Segretarju u Vice Commodore tar-Royal Malta Yacht Club. Fl-1982 rebah l-unur tal-Ufficjal tas-sena fl-Ghazliet Sportivi Nazzjonali .Fl-2013 mahtur membru tal-Kunsill Malti ghall-isport.

Eks President tal-Kumitat Olimpiku Malti bejn l-1989 u l-1994 . Taht il-presidenza tieghu Malta organizzat ghall-ewwel darba l-Loghob tal-Istati Zghar tal-Ewropa fl-1993. Karriera fl-isport u ghall-isport fejn wara snin fl-amministrazzjoni ta’Exiles Waterpolo Club, fl-1983 kien President tal-Amateur Swimming Association. Eks President u membru fundatur tal-Malta Squash Association.Ghamel wkoll parti mill-Kummissjoni Guridika tal-Kumitati Olimpici Ewropej. Fl-2010 gie ppremjat mill-Kumitat Olimpiku Malti bit-trofew tal-Kumitat Olimpiku Internazzjonali ghar-rwol tieghu fl-izvilupp tal-kultura olimpika f’pajjizna.

: Bla dubju l-aqwa board-sailor mara li qatt ipproduca l-isport Malti.Hija rebhet il-Kampjonat Dinji Freestyle li sar fl-Isvizzera fl-1986 u giet fit-tielet post fil-Kampjonat Mistral.Fl-1986 hadet sehem fir-Regata ta’ Sardegna fejn temmet fil-11 il-post fost 247 partecipant. Rebhet l-unur tal-Isportiva tas-Sena fl-1985 u fl-1986 wara li fl-1983 u fl-1984 kienet giet fit-tieni post fl-istess Ghazliet. Fl-ahhar snin ufficjal attiv fl-ibburdjar f’pajjizna u ispirazzjoni ghal atleti zghazagh f’dan l-isport.

Beda l-karriera ta’ 15 il-sena mar Rabat Ajax fit-tielet divizjoni bl-ewwel goal tieghu tal-karriera jasl fit-23 ta’ settembru 1979. Ma Rabat baqa’ sal-1987 fejn f’139 skorja 64 goal. Rebag ma Rabat Ajax l-unuri kollha fosthom zewg kampjonati Premier konsekuttivi.Wara li fl-1987-88 ma’ Verbania fl-Italja f’20 partitia skorja 8 goals bejn l-1988 u l-1994 laghab ma’ Genk fil-kampjonat professjonali Belgjan b’57 goals f’183 partita.Bejn l-1994 u l-2001 ma’ Sliema Wanderers rebah l-unuri kollha filwaqt li f’191 partita skorja 78 goal.Mid-debutt f’Lulju 1982 f’Messina fir-rebha ta’ 2-1 kontra l-Izlanda, laghab 113 il-partita mat-tim Nazzjonali fejn skorja 23 goal kif wkoll 19 il-partita ohra ma timijiet rapprezentattivi li matulhom skorja 4 goals. Sar l-ewwel player li lahaq il-kwota ta 100 partita ghal Malta. Maghzul mill-MFA bhala l-aqwa player tul l-ahhar 50 sena.Rebbieh tal-Footballer of the year tal-MFA fl-1982-83 u fl-1985-86. Fl-1986-87 b’9 goals mat-tim Nazzjonali kien l-aqwa scorer fix-sena internazzjonali flimkien ma’ Protassov tar-Russja u Romario tal_Brazil.Fil-qasam tekniku apparti li ta bidu ghal Buzu football School wara esperjenza ta’ kowc ma’ Pieta bejn l-2007-2009 kien assistant coach tat-tim Nazzjonali.Fis-sena 2000 gie mghoti Gih ir-Repubblika ghal dak li wettaq fil-qasam tal-football Malti.

Sinonimu mal-atletika u dak li kisbet f’dan l-isport fuq medda ta’ ghoxrin sena. Bejn l-1993 u l-2009 fil-loghob tal-istati zghar tal-Ewropa rebhet 12 il-medalja ndividwali, 3 deheb, 4 fidda u 5 bronz.Fl-1996 b’record nazzjonali ta’ 2 saghtejn 36minuta rebhet il-medalja tal-fidda fil-Maratona di Firenze u sena wara rebhet il-medalja tal-fidda fil-loghob tal-Mediterran f’Bari u l-ewwel post fil-Maratona ta’ Dublin.Fis-sena 2000 rebhet il-medalja tal-deheb fil-5 Edizzjoni tal-World Veteran Athletes half marathon f’Valladolid filwaqt li fl-2001 u fl-2005 f’Malta u fil-Portugall rebhet il-medalja tad-deheb fil-Kampjonal tal-Ewropa tal-Veterani fuq distanza ta’ 10 kilometri.Hadet sehem fl-Olimpjadi ta’ Barcelona fl-1992 u Atlanta fl-1996 kif wkoll fi tlett edizzjonijiet tal-loghob tal Commonwealth fl-1994, 1988 u fl-2002.Bejn l-1992 u l-2005 rebhet ghal numru record ta’ 6 darbiet l-Ghaliet Sportivi Nazzjonali u f’4 darbiet ohra kienet runner-up.Matul il-karriera kisbet records nazzjonali fit-800m; 1500m; 3000m; 5000m; 10000m u nofs maratona u maratona.Fl-1997 ippremjata fil-medalja ghal Qadi tar-Reppublika b’rikonoxximent ghal dak li wettqet fil-qasam tal-Atletika. Bir-ragun imlaqqma bhala ir-Regina tal-Isport Malti.

Meqjus bhala l-persuna li beda l-Judo f’Malta. Ta’ 17 il-sena mill-ewwel esperjenzi fiz-Zabbar Physical and Culture Club, fl-1954 kellu l-ewwel esperjenza mat-tyimijiet tas-servizzi ta’ HMS Phoenicia u HMS St.Angelo flimkien mal-commandos tal-41st u 45th Regiment.Fl-1960 ta bidu ghall-ewwel klabb tal-Judo fil-Marsa u eventwalment sar l-ewwel klabb affiljat mal-British Judo Association. Fl-1968 sar l-ewwel persuna li kiseb black belt fil-Judo u sena wara ta bidu u organizza l-ewwel Kumitat Ezekuttiv tal-Malta Judo Federation li tieghu kien President.Fl-1973 f’Ruma ha sehem fil-European Judo Association u ghaxar snin wara kiseb 3 Dan Black Belts mill-akkademja tal-Judo ta’ Ruma. Fl-istess waqt ha sehem f’tahrig mat-tim nazzjonali Taljan.Joe Caruana li huwa 6th Dan Black Belt attwalment huwa President tal-Bord Tekniku tal-Malta Judo Federation.

Jovin Rausi has been actively involved in Sailing, both as a competitor, organiser and official since 1975. He has held many offices in sailing which include Founding Member and Commodore of Għadira Sailing Club, President of the Malta Sailing Federation, and Malta Boating Association, International Jury Member of the Martini Middle Sea Races in the early 80s, as well as Chairman of the 1998 and 1999 Middle Sea Races as well as a member of the Maltese Olympic Committee. He Event Director for Sailing at the 1993 and 2003 GSSE held in Malta.

Tiratur illi kellu l-qofol tal-karriera fis-sena 1993 fejn wara illi waqt il-Loghob tal-Istati Zghar li saru f’pajjizna rebah il-medalja tal-bronz, fl-istess sena f’Languedoc Roussillon sar l-ewwel atleta Malti li rebah medalja fil-Loghob tal-Mediterran meta rebah il-medalja tal-bronz.Tmiem is-sena kien wiehed eccellenti meta rebah l-unur tal-Isportiv Nazzjonali fl-Ghazliet Sportivi tas-Sena.

Champion ta’ Malta ghal 13 il-sena bl-ewwel Kampjonat mirbuh meta kien ghad ghandha 13 il-sena. Irrapprezentat lil Malta fi tlett edizzjonijiet tal-Junior Wimbledon Championships. Flimkien ma’ Carol Curmi rebbieha ta’ 4 medalji tad-deheb ghal Malta f’erba’ edizzjonijiet tal-Loghob tal-Istati Zghar tal-Ewropa meta saru f’Monaco (1987), Cipru (1989), Andorra (1991), u Malta (1993). Kif wkoll medalja tal-bronz fis-singles fl-istess Loghob.Inghazlet bhala l-Isportiva tas-Sena fl-1977. Hadet sehem f’bosta edizzjonijiet tal-Federation Cup. Ghandha l-oghla livell fil-coaching skond il-Federazzjoni tal-Coaches fi hdan il-Federazzjoni Internazzjonali tat-tennis. Fl-1993 inghatat l-unur ta’ Gih ir-Repubblika.

Bejn l-1982 u l-1986 kienet Junior Champion ta’ Malta f’liema periodu kellha ranking numru 100 fil-kategorija tal-juniors.Laghbet fl-Universita’ ta’San Diego fl-Istati Uniti filwaqt li bejn l-1985 u l-1992 kif wkoll fl-1994 u l-1995 kienet champion ta’ Malta. Flimkien ma’ Helen Asciak rebbieha ta’ 4 medalji tad-deheb ghal Malta f’erba’ edizzjonijiet tal-Loghob tal-Istati Zghar tal-Ewropa meta saru f’Monaco (1987), Cipru (1989) ,Andorra (1991), u Malta (1993). Rebhet wkoll 3 medalji tal-bronz u wahda tal-fidda fis-singles tal-istess Loghob. Fl-1993 inghatat il-Medalja ghal Qadi tar-Repubblika. Fl-1987 Inghazlet bhala l-Isportiva tas-Sena.

Sinonimu man-numru 2 f’kull formazzjoni kemm ta’ Floriana u wisq aktar tat-tim Nazzjonali Malti . Rebbieh tal-ewwel edizzjoni tal-Player tas-Sena tal-MFA fl-1954 – ghazla awtomatika tat-tim,Nazzjonali mill-ewwel partita fl-1957 kontra l-Awstrija . Player illi f’karriera dejjem ma Floriana bejn Kampjonat u kompetizzjonijiet laghab 277 partita.Fost is-successi 7 Kampjonati

Twieldet fl-1952. Bla dubju l-aqwa arciera mara f’pajjizna.Kienet l-ewwel atleta mara li hadet sehem f’Olimpijadi meta ddebuttat fl-1980 f’Moscow. Saret wkoll l-ewwel mara li tiehu sehem fi tlett Olimpijadi konsekuttivi b’partecipazzjoni fl-1984 f’Los Angeles u fl-1988 f’Seoul. Hadet sehem wkoll fil-Loghob tal-Mediterran fl-1979 fi Split. Inghazlet bhala l-Isportiva tas-Sena fl-1979 u fl-1982 u spiccat fit-tieni post fl-1987 fl-istess Ghazliet.Fl-1987 rebhet il-medalja tad-deheb fil-Loghob tal-Istati Zghar ghall-isparar bil-qaws li saru f’Guernsey.

Imwieled fl-1926, LAWRENCE XUEREB, kien il-hames President tal-Kumitat Olimpiku Malti. Kien f’din il-kariga fil-periodu bejn 1973 u l-1977 fi zmien meta kien wkoll President ta’ Hibernians Football Club. Kien lahaq President tal-Hibs fl-1968 f’sena meta Hibs rebhu t-tielet Kampjonat fl-istorja taghhom. Fil-presidenza tieghu il-club rebah darbtjen l-FA Trophy fl-1969-70 u fl-1970-71, tlett darbiet is-Sons of Malta Cup kif wkoll unuri ohra fosthom Testaferrata Cup, Independence Cup u l-Olympic Cup. Madankollu jibqa’ mfakkar ghar-rizultati li Hibs kellhom kontra Manchester United, Real Madrid u Arsenal fejn f’pajjizna dejjem gew draw 0 – 0 kif wkoll id-draw ta’ 2 – 2 kontra Spartak Trnava.Ghal zmien twil kien wkoll Vici President tal-M.F.A

JOSEPH GRECH, jew ahjar PEPPI, twieled fl-1935. Filwaqt li ghadu jsegwi mill-qrib dak li jsehh fix-xena tal-isparar f’pajjizna, huwa kien iddebutta fil-Loghob tal-Mediterran li kienu saru f’Beirut fil-Lebanon fl-1959. Sena wara ha sehem fl-Olimpijadi ta’ Ruma fejn kien ha sehem fl-iskeet. Fl-1968 fil-Belt tal-Messiku kien l-uniku rapprezentant Malti fl-Olimpijadi. Kien ha sehem wkoll fl-iskeet fl-Olimpijadi ta’ Munich fl-1972 biex sar l-ewwel atleta Malti li ha sehem fi tlett Olimpijadi.

TONY PELLEGRINI PETIT b’karriera ta’ madwar 50 sena fit-table tennis beda fl-Azzjoni Kattolika f’Tas-Sliema sa kemm inghaqad ma’ Melita li maghhom rebah l-unuri kollha fix-xena tat-table tennis lokali. Fis-snin 50 kien promutur u wiehed mill-fundaturi tal-Malta Table Tennis Association u kien strumentali fis-shubija tal-Assocjazzjoni mal-Federazzjoni Internazzjonali tat-table tennis fl-1957. Ha sehem fil-Kampjonati tad-Dinja li kienu saru f’ Dortmund fl-1959 fi Praga fl-1963 fil-Kampjonat tal-Ewropa f’Londra fl-1966. Kien 6 darbiet rebbieh tal-Kampjonat Nazzjonali u ghal zmien twil kien wkoll wiehed mill-coaches ewlenin tat-table tennis f’pajjizna.

Imwieled fl-1903 ROBBIE SCERRI, fi zmienu kien meqjus bhala l-aqwa tennis-player. Beda jilghab fis-snin 20 fil-courts tal-Eastern Telegraph Company fejn illum hemm Paceville. Bhala player tal-football jinghad li kien hu li skorja l-ewwel goal meta fetah l-Empire Stadium fil-Gzira. Laghab wkoll cricket, hockey, waterpolo u squash. Fit-tennis bejn l-1930 u l-1960 rebah bosta Kampjonati u tournaments . Ex-president tal-Lawn Tennis Association ta’ Malta kif wkoll sal-1971 kien responsabbli mill-attivitajiet fil-United Services Sports Club li wara sar maghruf bhala Marsa Sports Club. Kien ghadu attiv sa Awissu 1987 meta fl-eta’ ta’ 84 sena miet tragikament f’incident tat-traffiku f’tas-Sliema.

Karriera fl-isport ghal aktar minn hamsin sena bhala amministratur, dirigent, gurnalist u xandar fil-qasam sportiv. Ex-Segretarju tal-Bord Nazzjonali ta’ li Sports. Ghal bosta snin, President tal-Ghazliet Sportivi Nazzjonali . Ex-Segretarju tal-Federazzjoni tal-Football u kien jirrapprezenta lill din l-ghaqda fil-Kunsill tal-M.F.A . Kien mill bidu net meta twaqqfet il-Federazzjoni Klabbs tal-Bocci u wara sena gie elett President fejn dam ghal 22 sena. Dahhal lill Malta fil-qasam internazzjonali bhala membru tal- Federazione Boccistica Internazionale u hadem hafna biex twaqqfet il-Eurpoean Bocci Federation. Xandar sportiv ma’ Redifusion ,Radio Malta, Xandir Malta, u Super One Radio . Ghal bosta snin kien ukoll vici president tal-ghaqda kittieba sports.

Karriera mill-aqwa ma bosta timijiet ta’ Barclays Bank. Rebbieh ghal hames snin konsekuttivi tal-unur prestiggjuz ghal Banek maghruf bhala ‘ Trofew Victor Ludorum’ . Laghab waterpolo, table tennis, tennis u hockey. Laghab waterpolo ma’ Sliema ASC u football ma’ Melita f.c kif wkoll kien f’bosta kumitati ta’ Barclays Bank. Membru fundatur u ex tezorier tal-Malta Tennis Association kif wkoll membru fundatur tal-Malta Table Tennis Association kif wkoll tezorier tal-Malta Hockey Association u Malta Basketball Association. Ghal 26 sena kien fil-Kumitat Olimpiku Malti sa kemm irtira bhala Tezorier fl-1993. Ha sehem f’bosta edizzjonijiet tal-Loghob tal-Mediterran bhala ufficjal kif wkoll kien chef de Mission tal-kontingent Malti fl-Olimpjadi ta’ Seoul.

Wara li beda jipprattika s-Sub Aqua ta’14 il-sena ,fl-1969 issieheb fil-Malta Sub Aqua Club. Kien champion nazzjonali ghal erba darbiet, u l-kompetizzjonijiet ewlenin tal-Malta Sub Aqua Club. Ha sehem fil-Kampjonati tad-Dinja fl-1963 fil-Brazil, fl-1971 f’Kuba, fl-1973 fic-Cili u fl-1975 fil-Peru.Rebbieh tal-Ghazliet Sportiv tas-Sena fl-1963 .Fl-1964 rebah il-Kampjonat Internazzjonali Gran Premio Isola di Ustica. Waqaf jiehu sehem f’kompetizzjonijiet fl-1981 biex jiddedika l-hin tieghu ghat-taghlim tal-isport tal-bahar u specjalment id-dixxiplini tal-iscuba diving liz-zghazagh Maltin. Ghin biex tigi ntrodotta f’Malta il-licenzja tal-ghaddis, jew kif inhi ahjar mgharufa s C-Card, biex jigi zgurat li kull min jghodos ikun kkwalifikat u mghallem . Kien l-ewwel President tal-Federazzjoni Maltija tal-Attivitajiet ta’ Taht il-Bahar. Waqaf mill-attivita sportiva fl-1996.

Fundatur tal-Malta Weightlifting Federation li taghha dam President ghal 25 sena. Beda l-weightlifting fl-eta’ ta’ 12 il-sena fl-Awstralja. Fl-1963 rebah il-medalja tad-deheb fis-Senior Australian Championships NSW u bejn l-1962 u l-1970 ha sehem fil-Kampjonati tal-Awstralja fejn spicca fit-tieni post fl-1968, 1969 u fl-1970. Bejn l-1962 u l-1990 irrapprezenta lil Malta fil-Loghob tal-Commonwealth kemm bhala atleta u bhala ufficjal. Fl-1975 waqqaf il-weightlifting Olimpiku f’pajjizna u fl-1983 rebah l-unur tal-Ufficjal tas-sena. Fl-istess Ghazliet spicca fit-tieni post fl-1990 u fit-tielet post fl-2004. Fl-1981, 1990 u 1995 organizza f’ Malta it-Tournament ghal Pajjizi z-Zghar tal-Ewropa u fl-1990 organizza l-Kampjonati tal-Ewropa taz-Zghazagh u fl-2003 il-Kampjonati tal-Commonwealth. Bejn l-1980-2003 kien referee tal-ghola kategorija.

Ha sehem fl-Olimpijadi tal-1972 fi Munich u fl-1980 f’Mosca. Ha sehem fil-Loghob tal-Mediterran fl-1963 f’Napli , fl-1967 f’Tunez, fl-1971 f’Izmir, fl-1975 fl’Algiers, fl-1979 fi Split u fl-2001 f’Tunez. Ha sehem bhala ufficjal fl-edizzjonijiet tal-Loghob tal-Pajjizi z-Zghar li saru fl-1987 f’Cipru u fl-2001 f’San Marino. Rebbieh tal-Ghazliet Sportivi Nazzjonali fl-1971 u fl-1974 . Rebbieh tal-Kampjonati Nazzjonali fl-1970,1971,1972, 1974. Ha sehem fit-Tour tal-Grecja fl-1968 u fit-Tour tal-Libja wkoll fl-1968. Ex President tal-Malta Cycling Federation ghal 7 snin u Vici President ta’ Mosta Cycling Club ghal 16 il-sena.

56 sena fl-isport. Goalkeeper ma Balluta W.P.C bejn l-1953 u l-1974 fejn rebah l-unuri principali fosthom il-kampjonat u knock-out fl-1963 flimkien ma 4 edizzjonijiet tan-K.O. Player tat-team Nazzjonali bejn l-1958 u l-1970 fejn ha sehem f’Coppa Tranacria fi Sqallija u Loghob tal-Mediterran fl-1963 f’Napli. Bhala coach rebah l-unuri ewlenin ma Valletta WPC, San Giljan WPC, Sliema minors, Sirens ASC, Birzebbugia u Ta’ Xbiex. Holoq in-nurseries tal-ghawm ghal Sliema u Neptunes ma dawn tal-ahhar dam 12 il-stagun. Ta’ 73 sena ghadu jiehu hsieb in-nursery ta’ San Giljan u t-team ta’ taht l-14 il-sena. Ta’ 58 sena fl-1996 qasam il-Gozo Channel u fl-2002 spicca fl-ewwel post fil-kategorija Veterani meta tejjeb id-distanza b’siegha f’ 2 saghtejn u 11 il-minuta. Ta’ 64 sena gham fil-Pitch tas-Sliema ghal 5 sighat kontinwi b’risq il-Ghana Mission Foundation. Laghab football ma Melita u Msida St.Joseph. Ex Class 1 referee fejn ikkontrolla l-partiti Coventry City vs.Team Parastatali Malti. Assistant referee fil-partiti Marsa vs Juventus u AC Milan vs Red Boys ta’ Lussemburgu f’ Milan. Maghrul referee tas-sena 1971-72 tal-gurnal Il-Hajja u mghoti Certifikat Bennett ghall-Att Sportiv fl-1979. Ghalliem tal-isport ghal 30 sena fil-Kullegg St.Edwards u xandar ma’ Island Sound Radio u RTK

Amministratur tal-Isport, Victor Pace kien minn tal-bidu nett biex twaqqfet il-Malta Tennis Federation li huwa mexxa fil-fazi bikrija taghha. Kompla biex lahaq President tal-Kumitat Olimpiku Malti fejn mexa b’ghozza mal-idejali tal-Moviment Olimpiku.

Amministratur tal-football u coach, Frank Tabone kien strumentali fit-twaqqif ta’ wiehed mit-teams leggendarji tal-football Malti, maghruf bhala Ajax FC. Fl-aqwa taghhom u taht il-gwida tieghu, l-Ajax FC rebhu dak kollu li kien joffri l-football Malti dak iz-zmien. Fuq kollox, xi hamsin sena ilu, huwa kien ukoll strumentali biex twaqqfet struttura lokali ta’ tahrig fil-loghba tal-football – tabilhaqq pijunier ta’ tahrig strutturati; l-ewwel wiehed ta’ dix-xorta f’Malta.

Tabib tal-Medicina Sportiva, Dott. Muscat ta sehemu f’dal-qasam ta’ Medicina u l-izvilupp taghha f’Malta, fejn eventwalment poggieha bhala dixxiplina fuq l-agenda nazzjonali. Ghal aktarminn tletin sena, huwa ta sehemu fl-isport b’hidma dedikata mal-clubs u federazzjonijiet nazzjonali f’bosta dixxiplini sportivi. Inghata wkoll gharfien ufficjalment ghall-hidma tieghu fl-Isport mill-Kumitat Olimpiku Internazzjonali.

Atleta, amministratur, coach u edukatur, Lino Bugeja rraprezenta fil Malta fil-Loghob tal-Mediterran u f’avvenimenti ohra internazzjonali bhala atleta; wara kompla biex lahaq Segretarju General tal-Kumitat Olimpiku Malti. Kien ukoll coach tal-Football fl-oghla livell b’esperjenza nazzjonali kif ukoll dik internazzjonali. Fuq kollox, kien edukatur tal-valuri Olimpici kemm bhala lecturer kif ukoll f’Olimpja, il-Grecja.

Atleta, coach u amministratur, Kevin Decesare huwa sinominu mal-loghba tal-Basketball, sport li fih ibbrilla u li grazzi ghat-talenti tieghu ghen lit-team nazzjonali jikseb success internazzjonali. Kemm bhala player kif ukoll bhala coach, huwa kien strumentali biex it-team nazzjonali kiseb l-ahjar rizultati.

Ufficjal tal-Waterpolo, Charles Micallef qatta’ karriera bhala ufficjal fl-isport tal-Waterpolo. Lahaq l-oghla livell possibli meta intqhazel bhala ufficjal tal-finali ghall-Midalja tad-Deheb fil-Loghob Kontinentali tal-Mediterran gewwa Split, fl-1976 fejn kiseb l-istima u l-gharfien ghal Malta bhala ufficjal tal-Loghba.

Atleta u l-oghla amministratur fl-Isport tal-Body Building, Joe Dimech ghen l-isport tieghu jilhaq livelli gholjin. Heggeg l-Idejali Olimpici ta’ Fair Play filwaqu li dejjem kien minn ta’ quddiem fil-glieda kontra d-doping mhux biss fl-isport izda wkoll f’oqsma ohra.

Born in Qormi. Dr. George Abela was educated at the Lyceum at the Malta University when he graduated as notary public in 1974 and lawyer in 1975. In 1974 he started his connections with Qormi FC as Club Treasurer and was appointed President in 1976. During his presidency the team was promoted to the first division. In 1982 he contested successfully the post of President of the Malta Football Association (MFA) a post which he occupied up to 1992. During his presidency the MFA went through an administrative revolution with football moving from the Gzira stadium to the stadium at Ta’ Qali; as well as he was instrumental in launching the first ever professional scheme for football players.

Educated at the seminary. Bertie Muscat joined the civil service where he held the post of administrative officer in the treasury department. He commenced his career in sports playing waterpolo at national level in addition to representing Malta in Swimming at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games Cardiff 1958. Bertie is best known for his invaluable services as a sport administrator. He was Hon. Secretary of European Waterpolo Committee from 1990 to 2004 and as member of this committee from 1981 to 1989. He was founder member of the Games of the Small States of Europe and Hon Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Games of Small States of Europe from 1993 – 2002. He held the post of President and General Secretary of the ASA of Malta. He also held various positions with the Malta Olympic Committee including General Secretary, Treasurer, Vice-President, and Deputy-President over a period of 40 years. He also contributed as a sports administration for various other associations at national level including the Malta Amateur Football Association and the Regatta and Swimming Commissions. He also served as member of the Executive Committee of the Committee for the Development of Sports (commonly known as CDDS) of the Council of Europe for two years from 2005-2006. During his sports administrative career he took part in various international sport conferences. He led Malta Olympic contingents at the Commonwealth Games, Mediterranean Games, Games of the Small States of Europe and at the Olympic Games. He is the only Maltese to be honoured with the Olympic order. He was conferred the national order of merit in 1993. He is a recipient of the IOC Centennial Trophy during the International Year of Sport and the Olympic Ideal (1994), LEN Golden Pin (2000) and was awarded two times Official of the Year at the first edition in 1972 and again in 1976.

Passionate about windsurfing when he started in 1979 from Xemxija, Peter quickly established himself as one of the best on the national level and within a year embarked onto the international stage where he participated in European and world championships. Over the years that followed, Peter establishedMalta as a force to reckon with amongst top contenders in this growing sport, regularly placing in the top ten in prestigious regattas that attracted hundreds from all corners of the world. As a result he was voted as Malta’s Sportsman of the year for three consecutive years between 1982 and 1984. Amongst his many international results, the more notable include a fifth and eight placing in the highly competitive 1981 and 1983 European championships (the latter featuring over 100 starters at each race), a world University championship title in 1983, and his 9th placing at the ‘84 Olympics, the best placing ever obtained by a Maltese athlete at any Olympics at the time. He was honored in 1996 when the MOC awarded Peter the IOC’s Centennial Award. Though not as aggressively as in his youth, Peter continues to participate regularly in this sport in the United States where he currently resides, establishing himself as the 2004 Prodigy US National Champion; winner of the 2007 Cabrillo Beach Race, the biggest windsurfing event in the Los Angeles area that attracted 67 competitors, and most recently winner of the 2007 San Diego Windsurfing Association Series

Born on September 27, 1936 and educated at St. Aloysius College. With over 50 years of service to local sports, distinguishing his self as a sports administrator and a specialized sports journalist. He is Malta’ foremost researcher on Malta Sports (local and international spheres), has traveled extensively as an administrator and journalist on the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, the Mediterranean Games and other international events. He is founder of the National Sporting Contest: Sportsman, Sportswoman and Official of the Year. He is a founder-member of the Ghaqda Kittieba Sports. He was awarded a Maltese Journalism Award in 2007. In the field of sports administration he was also founder and President of the Malta Basketball Association in 1964, Malta Darts Association and the Malta Football National Team Supporters Club. He held a number of positions with various sporting entities which included being the President of the Malta Billiards & Snooker Association and the Valletta Waterpolo Club. He was at a time Secretary for the Malta Boxing Association, the Maltese Olympic Committee, the Valletta Football Club and Treasurer of the Pentathlon Club. As a sports journalist he was involved in the following publications: Soccer Magazine, The Sporting Star, Sports Annual, Football Annual, In-Nazzjon Taghna, Il-Mument and several official sports brochures. He was a sports commentator for Radio MAS and Radio Calypso and was the presenter for the TV series ‘The Story of Maltese Sport’ (TVM).

For about 30 years Louis Borg served the Malta Olympic Committee in various capacities. These included duties as Vice President, Technical Sports Director and for 12 years, Director of the Academy. He also participated in various activities and many projects of the MOC both in the local field as well as abroad. He was appointed Chef de Mission for Mediterranean Games in Athensin 1991 and also for the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992. He acted as Sports Director for the first Games of the Small States of Europe in Malta in 1993 and also for the European Youth Olympic Festival in Lisbon in 1997. In 1999, Louis Borg was awarded the Trophy for ‘Sport through Education’ by the International Olympic Committee. He was instrumental in establishing the Maltese Olympic Sports Awards after chairing on a number of occasions the Sportivi Nazzjonali tas-Sena, which was organized together with the Ghaqda Kittieba Sports. Louis Borg had the honour of experiencing the charms of Olympia a number of times as he was invited a few times to lecture during the International Directors’ Seminars. The Malta Olympic Academy also worked on two publications ‘Olympia Adventure’ and ‘History of the Local Sports Associations’. His career in the administration of Sport in Malta is well-known also included being the Head of the Department of Physical Education, University of Malta, Chairman of the SEC Board of PE, Founder of the Academy of Physical Education of the University ofMalta. He was elected as President of the Malta Basketball Association in 1970, serving for 30 years. He has served on FIBA boards and introduced the Promotion Cup for small countries and FISEC (International Federation of Sports for Schoolboys) inMalta. He has been director of three editions of the FISEC Games and is the present Vice President of the International FISEC Bureau. He is the current and first President of the Malta Handball Association. He was awarded two times Official of the Year in 1973 and again in 1987.

A Footballer and a Coach. Born in Rabat on the 22nd of October 1937, Joe Cilia’s natural talent and passion as a footballer was evident from when he first kicked a ball. He quickly climbed the ranks and by the time he was nineteen, he was the youngest player in the now legendary team which played Malta’s first international against mighty Austria. An automatic choice for the Malta XI, and Malta captain from 1959 to 1964, and captain for all the other teams he played with, he is now considered to be one of the greatest center-halves Malta has ever witnessed. His consistency, courage, composure and cunning made him much loved by his supporters, and respected by his opposition. With Valletta F.C. he won all the titles on offer. He played blinders against foreign teams, helping Malta XI gain very good results. He was the first player to win the coveted Footballer of the Year twice. He also held records including playing 49 competitive games in one season and another for playing every game except one, for nine consecutive seasons between 1955 and 1964. He played and coached in Australia between 1964 and 1971 where he won the Footballer of the Year title again. He hung his playing boots in 1976. Having performed the Player-coach role since 1961, he could now dedicate more time exclusively to coaching. He coached most of the top flight teams where he won the League title first with Valletta, and then all the honours available with his first love Rabat F.C. for two consecutive seasons. He also coached the Malta U/21 gaining two wins out of three games. His only regret was that he was never given the chance to coach the senior Malta National Team. He won the Westin Dragonara Award in 2003 and Gieh ir-Rabat in 2004 in appreciation for his 48 years of continuous contribution to his only passion, which is football.

Oscar H Aquilina was a highly sophisticated and distinguished gentleman of extraordinary charisma and high integrity with a vision which distinguished him from his peers in the field of sport administration. He set up the Malta Sports Association and organised various disciplines among sports associations for more than 30 years. Oscar H Aquilina was also the President of the Sliema Sport Association and the President of the ASA in the years 1961 and 1962, when a new bright era for this association began. He was a remarkable personality that graced the development of a sport culture at all levels in Malta.

Spanning a career over 12 years, Michael Soler was Malta’s foremost and outstanding waterpolo goalkeeper; he was also one of the best players throughout the games’ history. During his career in waterpolo he won every honour the game had to offer. He represented Malta in major International competitions and prestigious events including amongst others the Mediterranean Games in Algiers, 1975 and the Mediterranean Games in Split, 1979 where he was also the MaltaCaptain at these Games. His name was synonymous with Sliema ASC whom he captained for 4 years and later went on to become the Club’s President. He was respected for his Sportsmanship and Olympic ideals by friend and foe. He was a member of the Organising Committee of the GSSE Malta 2003 and was also MOC Director of Marketing for the quadrennial 2000 – 2004.

One of the pioneers of athletics in Malta, wherever there was an athletic meeting organised in Malta, Joseph would be there in the forefront promoting and fostering the development of athletics. It is thanks to him and a handful of visionary pioneers that athletics today is one of the better structured sports in Malta and a feather in the cap of the Olympic team whenever it goes to participate in multi sports events. Besides his active role in the administration of athletics as the MAAA President for 24 years, he also held many posts of international prestige following what was an exemplary career as an amateur athlete.

Larry Vella is one of Malta’s undisputed top shooter and champion of his generation in a career spanning more than 20 years. Larry won many competitions on national level but he reached the climax of his career when he was selected to represent Malta in the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games. Larry will always be remembered for his performance in Moscow where he managed 3 straights in a row; 75 out of 75 during the second day of the competition, to finish 11th place. This was the best result for a Maltese shooter in Olympic Trap. He is remembered as a role model for his peers in his lifetime and a legend through his Legacy.

One of the finest players that were seen in the game of football. His tactical acumen was second to none and made Floriana Ajax first and subsequently Floriana F.C. the leading sides of local football. Borg became a legend in his own lifetime. In 1948-1949 he led the team to the League, FA Trophy and Cassar Cup Triple and four consecutive League Championships (1949-1954). His international career included playing in Malta’s first-ever international match against Austria in 1956. An automatic choice for the National XI, he captained the team against some of the best European teams of the era. He also played against Denmark in the Nations Cup, scoring the goal, which gave Malta its very first international victory. He was an all time great! On retirement he dedicated himself in passing on his skill and vast knowledge of the game by coaching at various levels. A true gentleman in the real sense of the word.

A highly versatile footballer, waterpolo player and a fore runner in physical education and sports development in all schools in Malta and Gozo, where he set up the Education Sports division in the Department of Education. He was also a highly successful football coach and a national waterpolo coach of Malta. His team epic performance against reigning World Football Champions England in 1971, to date remains amongst the best ever moments in local football history. In 1979 he was elected MOC President, a post which he occupied for 12 years. In all he served on the Maltese Olympic Committee for 24 consecutive fruitful years. Under his leadershipMalta attained what was a highly prestigious result in the Moscow Games 1980 with Larry Vella’s 11th placing in shooting and in the Los Angeles Games 1984, with another prestigious 9th placing in sailing with Peter Bonello. In 1997 he was awarded the IOC Trophy for his endeavour for the Development of ‘Sport for All’ in Malta.

Philanthropist, politician, trade unionist and above all sports administrator. One of the pioneers of Maltese football is Sur-Gian, who started his career when he founded St Barbara Football Club of Valletta in the early 1900’s. Between 1912 and 1915 he served as vice president of the Malta Football Association. In 1933 he founded what was to be and still is the leading amateur football club on the island, Melita FC. He led the club for decades as its president and founder instilled in his players the ethos of ‘the game first and foremost, winning is not everything but wanting to is!’ He epitomized the true Olympic ideals and the De Courebertin philosophy for sport. His legacy lives on till today as Melita is still doning the red and white colours and is the only Amateur Club whose status can be changed through a unanimous vote. On his retirement he was nominated honorary president of the Malta Football Association.

A leading sports administrator who had a remarkable outlook and vision towards sport. He was a founder member of the ASA in 1925 and was its secretary from 1927 till 1936. In 1937 he became president of the ASA. He was a founder member of the Malta Olympic Committee where he became instrumental in the early days of the Malta Olympic Committee as it secretary from 1928 up until 1946. In 1946 Paul Giorgio became the president of the Malta Olympic Committee where he served an unmatched 18 year era as president up until 1963. On retiring from the Malta Olympic Committee Paul Giorgio had committed 35 years of his life to the Maltese Olympic Committee and the development of sport in Malta. He was Chef de Mission in Malta’s first ever Olympic Games participation in 1928 in Amsterdamand again in the famous Hitler Berlin Olympics in 1936. Without a shadow of any doubt Paul Giorgio was a hallmark of Maltese sport and a fine gentleman.

Lewis Portelli’s sports broadcasting and journalistic career spans 49 years. Producer and presenter on radio, television and on-course commentator at the Malta Racing Club, he is also a regular contributor to ‘The Times’. BBC trained, Lewis Portelli travelled extensively covering international events and interviewing world top sports personalities and administrators. Lewis Portelli is the author of 13 books dealing with the World Cup, the Olympic Games and the Games of the Small States ofEurope and of a special commemorative book spanning the first 100 years of the Malta F.A. He is also the Editor of The Football Year Book -Malta, now in its 19th year. In 1994 he was invited to write and read a paper at the I.O.C. Centennial Congress at Sorbonne University in Paris with the title “Sports in Small and Developing Countries”. Awarded the I.O.C. prize in 1988 and again in 2004. In the National Republic Day honours (1993) Lewis Portelli was decorated with the Midalja ghall-Qadi tar-Repubblika for his contribution to sport. In 2001 Lewis won the Malta Press Club sports journalist Award. Member of the University Radio ‘Sportsopolis’ team, winner of the Broadcasting Authority Award (2002). Co-founder of the Sportswriters Association and Founder of the Sportsmanship Trophy – Malta. In 1997 he was given the “Premju Mons. Azzopardi” for his voluntary work at the Dar tal-Providenza

A pioneer of local broadcasting Carmelo Costa started his career during the late 1940’s in a Malta which was still recovering from the devastation of the Second World War. It was a time when radio was the only means of communication for the Maltese. A time when the nation was coming to terms with a new reality. Whatever the occasion, sports lovers would return home particularly on Saturdays and Sundays to hear Carmelo’s comments on the fare of the day which he would portray with great detail. The first live broadcasts were launched by Carmelo and these were the precursors of television which would take over in the 1960’s. His career span 36 years when in 1985 he called it a day. By that time he had already passed on his legacy to a host of personalities including Lewis portelli and Fr. Hilary to mention but a few. Amongst his many achievements one finds the memorable commentary of the England vs. Malta game played at Wembley stadium on the 12th May 1971.

Fr. Hilary was born at Tarxien in 1934. He joined the Augustinian Order in 1950, where he was given the name of Hilary a name he has held until the present day. He was ordained priest in 1958 after a study phase at the Gregorian University of Rome. There, at a tender age, he started his journalistic career contributing regularly in ‘Lehen is-Sewwa’. Here in Malta in 1960, he was appointed editor of the magazine ‘Santa Rita’ as well as director of the Augustinian Oratory at Tarxien. During this period, he also started his career as a football coach. For many years he coached both the junior and senior teams of Tarxien Rainbows. He was even coach of Hibernians Football Club, in what could be termed one of the most successful periods for Hibs, wherein they won many honours in local football. The most prestigious result obtained by Hibernians under Fr. Hilary was the draw they managed against Manchester United in the European Cup of 1968, the year the English Club won the European Cup, known today as the UEFA Championship League Cup. In 1971, he founded the ‘Centru Sport Edukattiva’, which 10 years later developed into a technical centre at Ta’ Qali together with the present 44 local nurseries. For 10 years, until 1996, Fr. Hilary was Technical Director of the MFA Football Team at Ta’ Qali. In 1980, he started working with drug addicts at San Blas and formed support groups for parents which are still functioning. He attended eight consecutive World Cup finals, from Mexico 1970 to France 1998, as a journalist and commentator. Besides, he was also present during many European Championships as well as six Olympic Games editions. Fr. Hilary also worked for 20 years as a sports journalist for Redifussion, Xandir Malta and P.B.S. Co-founder of ‘Ghaqda Kittieba Sports’, of which he was president for 17 years. Chairman of the Malta Sports Council from 1999 to 2000, where he was instrumental in the donation of the first Government lands to Sports Associations and Federations. Today at the age of 71, he is still President of the Youth Football Association which he founded in 1982 and of which he has always been President. The year 2000 saw a new era in his life with the foundation of ‘Oasi tal-Paci’ in the heart of Paceville, the Millennium Chapel. 2004 also heralded the inauguration of ‘Wishing others Well’, the chapel’s social helping hand. On December the 13th, 2002, the then President of Malta, Prof. Guido De Marco, conferred on him the ‘Qadi tar-Repubblika’ award, on behalf of the People of Malta.

Undoubtedly one of our foremost yachtsmen, John Ripard’s sports career also included underwater fishing having been chosen to represent Malta in the World Underwater championships in Portugal in 1959. However his forte has always been in the sailing world. He competed for Malta in the Snipe Class in the Mediterranean Games inBarcelona in 1955 and again during the 1960 Olympiad when together with his brother Paul, he participated in the Star Class. Eventually John moved up to larger offshore keel boats and took part in numerous offshore races in Tunisia, Italy and Sicily all organised by the Royal Malta Yacht Club of which he is President. Winner of the first Middle Sea Race on Josian in 1968 and again on Tikka in 1970, John also won his class in the ‘Giraglia’ and ‘Campionato d’Inverno’ in Genova. In the early 80’s he was elected international judge, his highlight being his nomination to the International jury during the 1996 Atlanta Olympiad with the sailing events taking place in Savannah. In 1983, after the USA lost the America’s Cup to Australia, John was appointed Chairman of the race committee when the yacht club Costa Smeralda was responsible for organising the Louis Vouitton Cup, the preamble to the America’s Cup. This was followed by his appointment as alternate judge in Freemantle in 1987. He was again nominated to the international Juries in 1988, 1992 and 1995 America’s Cups. John Ripard’s unforgettable experience of judging in the World’s most important championships has taken him practically all over the world. In the Republic Day National honours 1992 John Ripard was given the ‘Midalja Ghall-Qadi Tar-Repubblika’.

Freddie as he is known in sporting circles, was the undisputed best ever water polo player in the history of the game. His career at the top spans more that 20 years where he won every major honour the game has to offer. He was a prolific goal scorer and an all rounder who had exceptional tactical acumen where he could read the game with great facility. He participated in the 1963 Mediterranean Games in Naples with the water polo team which also formed part of the Olympic Team in the same year; in 1975 the team participated in the Mediterranean Games in Algiers for which he was the captain. He was the National Swimming Champion in no less than 4 events for a number of years and in 1960 he represented Malta in the Rome Olympics in the 100m freestyle. He was winner of the national ‘Sportsman of the Year’ on two occasions. Freddie was selected to represent the Pick Army in both water polo and swimming events in Malta and overseas.

Guzi Demicoli was one of the great all rounders of Maltese Sport. He was a formidable swimmer, a top-class water polo player and a very useful footballer. Representing Malta in water polo and playing league football for Valletta F.C. were two of the many feats of this great sportman. At one time, he was the holder of three Maltese swimming titles and he turned out for the Army’s Athletics team in the shot put. His towering frame earned him a place as a goalkeeper in the regiment’s water polo team. Success came to him with unremitting regularity. He was in the R.M.A. Team that lifted the Command Aquatic Shield in 1933 and in 1938. In 1934, he beat the Tunisians visitors in swimming 100 yards to establish a new national record of 56.4 secs. In 1936 he was selected to play for the Maltese water polo team in the Berlin Olympics. Once again the decision was made to send him to represent Malta in the European swimming championships but at this time he was serving on HMS Hood with RMA. During the trip he played against the strong HMS Hood football team in an unusual position of centre-forward, he scored all four goals by which the Maltese regiment defeated the British sailors. He was a very good football player His size made him a formidable defender. Guze Demicoli will be always remembered as a towering full back and a versatile sports man. A man who excelled in any sport in which he chose.

From his early days at St. Edward’s College, in the mid-30’s, Nestor Jacono showed great promise in sport especially in athletics. He was unbeatable in the 100 yards not only through his College days but eventually also in the national championships. After leaving school, Nestor Jacono continued to train hard and became Malta’s undisputed No. 1 sprinter. Although WW II brought all sports activities nearly to a halt, Nestor was determined to keep on improving his national record. Jacono’s potential was recognised by the M.A.A.A. and he was chosen as the sole competitor to represent Malta at the first post war Olympic Games which were held in London in 1948. Organised so soon after the end of hostilities, Nestor Jacono will never forget the continuous cheers and clapping accompanied by shouts of “Brave Malta” as he proudly marched behind the Maltese flag round the Wembley Stadium track during the March Past of the Opening Ceremony. Back in Malta, Jacono continued to dominate the 100 yards event in the national championships for some more years. After he retired, he set up the Pegasus Club to encourage and train school children. He was later involved in the administration of sport in Malta being a member of various sports organisations including a member of the Maltese Olympic Committee.

Born on April 11, 1886 in Floriana, Ruggieru Friggieri made his debut with Floriana at the age of 16 during the 1902-03 season. He showed his great skill during his first years and captained the Floriana team to win three successive Championships and two Cup victories. He was admired and respected by team-players and fans and he became known as iz-Zibga for his speed on the pitch. As an enthusiastic full back, he was extremely popular with the Floriana fans, renowned for his hard, tough tackling, an expert for penalties and for his powerful ‘cannon-ball’ shots. During the period 1913-16 he was the first Maltese player to play for professional football outside our shores. He played with Napoli in the Italian League where he was described as the ‘Piccolo Diavolo Maltese’. During World War I, he joined the KOMRM, leading the team to many famous victories in the United Services League. Such was his fame that he was chosen for the Pick Army, an honour which was bestowed on no other Maltese footballer of his era. In 1916, Floriana disbanded their team and Ruggieru joined St. George’s helping the Saints to win the League and Cousis Shield double. Friggieri turned professional for Sliema Wanderers in 1922. He stayed with the Wanderers for three seasons, winning two Championships, one Cup and one Cassar Cup medal. He later returned to Floriana for what at the time was a record transfer fee however, this never materialized as iz-Zibga died suddenly aged 39 years.

After serving for a long number of years as secretary of the Maltese FA, Eugenio Bonello was elected President in 1961. He remained at the helm of the MFA till 1968. But perhaps Eugenio Bonello’s greatest hour was in 1959 when he successfully concluded Malta’s bid for affiliation to the Federation International de Football Associations (FIFA) and subsequently to the Union des Associations Europeennes de Football in the following year. Eugenio Bonello was instrumental in bringing over for the first time to our shores the then President of FIFA in 1965. He had also the great satisfaction of seeing our Island as a fully-fledged footballing nation, competing in official international matches under the auspices of the World and the European bodies. He was made a member of the British Empire (MBE) in June 1960.

Wilfred Pirotta was the National Underwater Fishing champion for two consecutive years (1960 and 1961). He was also the first sportsman to win the coveted “Sportsman of the Year” trophy (1960). A prominent member of Malta’s national team, he took part in five World Championships. When the World Championships were held in Malta in 1959, he placed 11th overall and topped the list for the greatest number of fish caught spearing six fish with one shot in the process. His best ever placing in the World Championships was 10th in Palermo in 1960. Wilfred Pirotta was also a prominent member of the Malta Scooter Club, which set up new world endurance record of 12 days non-stop motor “scootering” day and night in 1961.

At the age of 18, he was already making headlines taking on the best of the British Services in swimming challenges. As a prominent member of the Sliema United Waterpolo team, he was selected to form part of the Maltese national squad, which took part in the Amsterdam Olympic Games in 1928. Two years earlier (1926), he astounded everybody by swimming from Qala, Gozo to Sliema in 10 hours 31 minutes. During the same year, he set up a 24- hour water treading mark, which was recognised as a world record. In 1928 and 1929, he established two new world records of 57 hours 17 minutes and 62 hours 1 minute for water treading and swimming in the open sea, respectively. In 1930, preparing for his dream swim from Sicily to Malta, he again broke his own records chalking up new world marks of 68 hours. Unfortunately, the Sicily/Malta attempt in 1933 had to be abandoned only a few miles away from Malta when high winds and rough seas forced Rizzo to retire.

Major Alfred Briffa has been involved in sports administration for a long number of years. A well-known football and waterpolo referee who officiated in some of the keenest matches in both sports, both here and abroad. He was also Chef de Mission for the Maltese contingents, which took part in the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, (1958), the Mediterranean Games in Beirut (1958) and in Naples (1961) and the Rome Olympic Games (1960). He was President of the Malta Olympic Committee for seven years (1960-67). Major Briffa was appointed Chairman of the National Sports Board in 1960 – 1965. He is also a member of the Adjudicating Committee of the Sportsmanship Trophy,Malta (1974 – ). Alfred Briffa was made a member of the British Empire (MBE) in 1990.

Arguably the most complete footballer Malta has ever produced. A wily schemer of rare qualities, Salvinu could walk into any foreign side. He started his illustrious career with Sliema (then Athletics, later Wanderers) in 1943. After two years he was transferred for a record fee to Valletta FC winning two championship titles in the space of three years. In the meantime, being drafted in the Army, playing either as inside or outside right, Salvinu was an automatic choice for the 1st Coast Regiment RMA, The Army and the Pick Services. Scoring many vital goals, some direct from corner kicks, Salvinu returned to his first love, Sliema, in 1953 with whom he won three Championships: the FA Trophy, Cassar Cup and Scicluna’s Cup in the seven year spell before moving to Hamrun Spartans for one season in 1960 before hanging his boots in 1961. Salvinu was also an automatic choice for the Pick MFA XI (35 times). But perhaps Salvinu’s greatest achievement was in 1957 leading Malta for the first ever International. Losing 0-3 at half time to the star studded Austrian side, he rallied his team mates with his intelligent play in a memorable second half comeback, the referee’s final whistle saving the Austrians from a draw after the gallant Maltese had pulled two back to the thunderous cheers of the capacity crowd present at the Gzira Stadium.

Malta not only boasts of the oldest polo club in Europe, which was founded in 1868, but in Salvu Darmanin it had also one of the top players in the World. With a six handicap and considered one of the hardest hitters of the game, Salvu Darmanin is listed in the Golden Book of the World’s Greatest Polo Players. Apart from his brilliant displays in Malta, he played outstanding polo as a professional in the United Kingdom and he also particularly distinguished himself in re-organising the Dublin Polo Club in the 60’s. He had the unique honour of playing with distinction against a number of World personalities including Kings, Princes, Dukes and Earls. His status as Malta’s No. 1 polo player is undisputed.

One of the most versatile sportsmen having been selected to play for Malta both at waterpolo and football. His first waterpolo experience was at 11 years playing for the “Makku” team of St. Julians. At 15 he moved to Valletta waterpolo club of which, his father Paul was the founder. He dedicated all his sporting life – 36 years – to this one club until he retired in 1968. When the Rari Nantes (Naples) waterpolo club played a series of matches in Malta in the mid-50’s, they were so impressed with “Budgy” Dowling’s all round technical and tactical play, that they signed him on. He proceeded to Naples and played regularly for the strong Neapolitan side, until, at his father’s request, he returned to the Valletta fold. His football career started at the age of 18 with Melita and he spent all his footballing career with the same amateur club except for the last season, when again, at his father’s request, he played for the Citizens before hanging his boots. “Budgy” Dowling was for four years an automatic choice for Malta both as a waterpolo as well as a football player.

He was the first President of the Maltese Olympic Committee. A known businessman that had a great vision for sport. Thanks to this interest he gave a good future basis to the Maltese Olympic Committee.

A great businessman that was of a benefit to the development of football in Malta through his business. He used to organize the famous Christmas football tournament and rented the Gzira stadium in which all the matches of the highest divisions were held.
He introduced the Scicluna Cup in which all the participating clubs had a share of the spectators’ fee. He was given the honor of the Order of the British Empire by King George in 1945.

Synonymous with the Melita club, of which he was captain in the famous final FA Trophy versus Sliema Wanderers in 1939 won by Melita. Founder of the Coaching School in Malta and founder of the Association of Maltese Football Coaches. He was the first coach of the Maltese national team and played against the legendary national team of Austria.

Carmel Meme Busietta, who captained Malta's waterpolo team in the 1928 Olympics was one of the founders of the Maltese Olympic Committee.

The legendary football player. Even thought Tony has departed this life, his name is still widely named and he is still remembered no only for his great acknowledgements received but also for all the achievement he gained for the Maltese football. He is considered as a legendary amongst Maltese for his talents and personality.

Founder and President of the Malta Sub Aqua Club. Founder Member of under water activities. In 1959 he organized the first World Championship of under water fishing. Our country placed 5th out of19 nations.