The Executive Committee of the Malta Sports Journalists Association (MSJA) organised an event to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the association which was founded in 1970.
Active and retired sports journalists gathered for this special occasion, including two founding members; Joe Cutajar and Leonard Zammit.
During his speech, the president of the MSJA Sandro Micallef thanked all his predecessors; Fr. Hilary Tagliaferro, the first President in 1970, who was followed by the late Henry Calleja, and Charles Camenzuli, who was the third president of the association.
According to Micallef, this important celebration had to be postponed from 2020 due to the pandemic, but the committee still wanted to organise it to honour and recognize those who have contributed towards the development of sports journalism in Malta.
Apart from Fr. Hilary Tagliaferro, the first president of the Association, Micallef had words of praise also to the other members of the first Executive Committee: Lewis Portelli, who was the vice-president; Joe Cutajar, the general secretary; Mario Meli, who occupied the role of assistant general secretary and Antonio Castagna, who served as the treasurer together with Tommy Farrell. Together, these members laid the foundation of the association on the 19th of December 1970.
During the event AIPS Europe president, Charles Camenzuli, relayed his greetings and congratulations on behalf of the European Sports Journalists Association and presented a commemorative memento to the Malta Sports Journalists Association on behalf of AIPS Europe.
MSJA general secretary Lorraine Cunningham presented commemorative medals to all those who served for 25 years and over in the sports journalism sector.
Officials from the Maltese Olympic Committee, Sport Malta and from various Sports Associations and Federations were also present at the event.
Source: AIPS