It is always sad when someone passes away but it is heartbreaking when someone as young as Sadia is cruelly struck down by an incurable disease. Sadia was just 30 years old and on the verge of being nominated to the FIFA list of Assistant referees. She would have been the first Maltese woman in that category but it was not to be. The good Lord decided otherwise and took her unto Himself.

Sadia’s career in the Army helped her keep her physical fitness and her interest in refereeing never waned. When I spoke to her a few weeks ago, although very weak, she once again told me she was eager to get back to the football field. Sadia was an optimist to the end. She knew she was gravely ill but she was determined to hang on as much as possible. She was an incredibly brave person and she should serve as an example to us all.

Sadia will be missed at our monthly referees meeting where she always had something to ask or to comment about. After the meeting she was always with a group of her colleagues smiling away and talking about some match they had controlled a few days before.

We will pray for you Sadia but your prayers for us from such an exalted position near our Creator will be much appreciated.

Richard Stagno Navarra

Lija