Benny Pace was a perfect gent whose national pride was even bigger than his love for Valletta and all that it stands for.

For more than five decades he worked tremendously hard to promote sport in Malta and this he did as a journalist and through a number of publications throughout the years.

The ‘Fair Play’ campaign was not directed at Benny as he always played fair – in his articles, criticism and general approach. He was well liked and highly informative. In fact one may call him the first historian of Maltese sport.

He was the first to honour Maltese sportsmen/women by introducing the Sportsman of the Year Award way back in 1960 through his weekly ‘The Sporting Star’. Others did their choice later but he took pride about his initiative.

Benny served on various committees of several disciplines and his contribution was always noted with great satisfaction. He was one of the original members of the first ever government-appointed Sports Board in the 1960s. He was on the verge of finishing a history of Maltese sport which gives an insight of our sport activities throughout the years.

He was the first to cover the Maltese participation away from home in different disciplines.

Benny will be sadly missed.

TONY FORMOSA

(former national team coach)