Individuals who have greatly contributed to Maltese Sport should not be forgotten. We should be proud of people who have given so much to Maltese sport. Thus the Malta Olympic Committee has felt that it is of utmost importance to create a Hall of Fame in order to pay tribute to and keep alive the memory of such individuals.

It is believed that such a Hall of Fame would not only revive those precious moments through which the passion and interest for the Olympic Movement and its universal ideals flourish but also act as a means for inspiration for the young, showing how through example, with dedication, sacrifice and perseverance sports can achieve success.

In line with other such Halls abroad, the Hall of Fame in Malta will serve to preserve Maltese sporting history and be a point of reference. Acting as a motivating mechanism it will be a driving force for the pubic to emulate local sporting heroes and encourage locals to participate in sports in its different facets, whether on the sporting field or administration.

No doubt it will be an ideal inspirational force for those involved in sports to aspire to and hope that one day they too would be so honoured for their outstanding achievements, thus creating the right channels for greater attainment.

The Malta Olympic Committee’s Hall of Fame, which was launched in December 2003, reveals every year newly elected members on the 8th December at the MOC Sports Awards, based on clear guidelines how an individual can be nominated.

For example, one must have a reputation of high integrity before and even during the period that one is elected to the Hall of Fame. The individuals nominated to the Hall of Fame should have also been involved in sports at the highest national or international level for a minimum of six years.

The trustees would be seeking to acknowledge the work and achievements of individuals who have outstanding records of coaching champions, achieved an unprecedented winning record in the International arena at the highest level in sport and contributed as administrators or as sports journalists.

The nominees could also be individuals having served the Olympic Committee primarily and sport with special distinction and having achieved outstanding accomplishments.

For this reason the Malta Olympic Committee Hall of Fame, which will be situated in the heart of the capital city, will be set up to include a library and essentially a Sports Museum with permanent exhibitions and displays.

Acting as a motivating mechanism it will be a driving force for the pubic to emulate local sporting heroes and encourage locals to participate in sports in its different facets, whether on the sporting field or administration. No doubt it will be an ideal inspirational force for those involved in sports to aspire to and hope that one day they too would be so honoured for their outstanding achievements, thus creating the right channels for greater attainment.

First time nominees to be elected to the Hall of Fame attained their achievements up to the year 1960.

Among these one would find Anthony Cassar Torregiani, Carmel ‘Meme’ Busietta, Tony Nicholl, Eric Pace Bonello, C. ‘Meme’ Scicluna and Joe H. Griffiths. These individuals have made outstanding contributions to Maltese sports through their extraordinary efforts.

Mr. Anthony Cassar Torregiani was in fact the first President of the MOC; Mr. Carmel ‘Meme’ Busietta was the founder of the MOC whilst Mr. Eric Pace Bonello was the founder and President of the Malta Sub Aqua Club and the chairman of the organising committee of the first ever International Competition to be held in Malta – The World Underwater Fishing Championships (1959).

Among these individuals we also find Mr. C. ‘Meme’ Scicluna, a businessman who helped in the development of football in Malta through his entrepreneurship. He rented the Gzira stadium in which all the matches of the highest divisions were held.

Tony Nicholl was a legendary football player and Joe H. Griffiths has been a great achiever for football coaches in Malta. Besides being national football coach for a number of years, he was also the founder of the Coaching School in Malta and founder of the Association of Maltese Football Coaches.

2004 nominees included Eugenio Bonello who was involved for a long number of years with the Maltese Football Association and 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.

Alfred Briffa a well-known football and water polo referee, Chef de Mission for a number of Maltese contingents at Commonwealth Games, Mediterranean Games and the Olympic Games; and President of the Malta Olympic Committee for seven years (1960-67).

Salvu Darmanin one of the top players for Polo in the World whose status as Malta’s No. 1 polo player is undisputed.

Emmanuel ‘Budgy’ Dowling one of the most versatile sportsmen having been selected to play for Malta both at waterpolo and football.

Wilfred Pirotta National Underwater Fishing champion for two consecutive years and the first sportsman to win the coveted “Sportsman of the Year” trophy (1960). He took part in five World Underwater Fishing Championships.

Turu Rizzo a prominent member of the Sliema United waterpolo team and took part in the Amsterdam Olympic Games in 1928. World record holder for a number of world records for water treading and swimming in the open sea.

Salvinu Schembri arguably the most complete footballer Malta has ever produced. A wily schemer of rare qualities, Salvinu could walk into any foreign side. Salvinu was also an automatic choice for the Pick MFA XI (35 times).