Although we knew that our dear friend Joe had undergone a major surgery, the previous week, we were still shocked when we heard the news of his demise.

Joe had the courage to carry on working until his last day before the operation. He also had faith and asked us, the members of the Council, in his last e.mail to us “please spare a little prayer for me “ which we did. But we wanted him back and expected him to return to us as he had concluded his e.mail with the words: “I am hoping I will be back in action again in February”.

I came to know Joe better when he was first elected on the Council of the Malta Amateur Athletic Association some six years ago. He was later assigned the duties of Assistant Secretary which he always carried out with great diligence.

Joe was also well known on the track, particularly among field events athletes as he used to make it his task to control these events since he was our qualified Field Judge for such events. He was an extremely good official who always gave due importance to the ‘safety’ of both the athletes and officials even before performance or results. If conditions were not up to scratch he would not hesitate to recommend the cancellation of an event.

In fact there were times when we cancelled “discus” throwing events, when the discus cage was not in good condition, on his insistence.

He commanded respect from those around him with the way that he respected all those he worked with. He was a stickler for rules but ensured “fairness” and would go out of his way to ensure that an athlete receives all due attention and equipment at the time of competition.

Joe’s demise will be felt, and is being felt especially now when Athletics Malta is facing new challenges on the horizon. I am sure that Joe will be watching over us and that it now he who would be ‘sparing a prayer’ for us.

Anthony Chircop is President, Athletics Malta