Maltese sport yesterday mourned one of its former football and waterpolo stars as the death was announced of Emmanuel ‘Budgy’ Dowling.

Dowling was the father of Dirk, Kim and Kurt, well known in local waterpolo circles, especially between the mid-1970s and late 1990s.

Dowling had an impressive sporting career. He started his football spell as a centre half with Melita and later played for Valletta and the Maltese national team as well.

In the game of waterpolo, he was introduced by San Giljan, but made a name for himself in the 1950s with Valletta, a team dominated by the Dowlings, of whom Budgy was undoubtedly the main attraction.

Last December, the Malta Olympic Committee honoured him by inducting him into its Hall of Fame.

He was 83 years old.

The funeral is being held tomorrow at 2pm at the St Julian’s Parish Church.