Simon Bonello, the man who introduced wrestling to Malta and served as the association’s president for more than 35 years, died today. He was 85 years old.

In the 1970s Bonello was also president of the Weightlifting Federation, the Bodybuilding Association and the Chess Federation.

He was also an established wrestling referee as well as twice chairman of the National Sports Contests. In 1952, Bonello became a Minor (third division) champion of the Chess Federation. He also used to play cricket with the Floriana side, as well as table-tennis, where he was the Floriana champion in the mid-1950s. He was vice-president of the Malta Olympic Committee for four years.

Bonello was also president of the Vilhena Band Club in Floriana, and of Fsobians Sports Club.

Bonello also worked as a journalist and for a time was vice-president of the Sports Journalists Association.

The Malta Independent had interviewed Simon Bonello in 2005 - story in link here