In this unprecented time in our lives, why we are all facing extraordinary challenges and uncertainties about what the future will eventually unfold, we at TMI sports will continue to support the sports community in every way we can.
TMI was in contact with Malta water polo athlete Steve Camilleri to talk not only about the uncertain times everyone is going through.
Steve Camilleri's water polo exploits in Malta and away from our shores speak for themselves. Camilleri wrote history in the LEN European Water Polo Championship held in Serbia, Belgrade in January 2016, topping the overall top scorer of the tournament with 21 goals in two weeks of competition.
Malta placed 15th during that tournament, plus a historic individual recognition which shot Steve straight into the history books of local and foreign water polo books.
Camilleri actually plays with Italian Serie A outfit AS Roma Nuoto, having joined them in 2017/2018. He started his career with Neptunes WPSC, where he grew up first as a swimmer and then in water polo. After joining Patizan Belgrade in Serbia, Camilleri landed in Italy, donning the cap colours of Bogliasco in the Italian Serie A1 for six years. He then joined 7 Scogli in Serie A2 where he stayed for a season. In 2015 he was back in Serie A1 signing for CC Ortigia, where he managed to score almost a hundred goals, helping the side to avoid relegation.
Before the Italian Serie A1 water polo season broke off in early March, the Maltese water polo legend was leading the A1 top scorer table with 48 goals after 16 matches played, 5 ahead of Italian national team player Francesco Di Fulvio, who plays for leaders Pro Recco.
Q. How do you look at the current situation re: the COVID-19 outbreak and what are your views?
A. "I was still living in Rome when I first heard on the news that the virus had started to spread in northern Italy. I must admit I didn't give much notice mostly because of lack of information available at that time. However, as the situation became more serious, my concerns started to grow. The final league fixture fell on March 7th and the match was played behind closed doors. The next morning, I flew immediately home to my family and we have been in self quarantine since then. It has not been easy with two young children. However, we are all in good health and together, so given the situation we feel privileged.
I think we must come together as a nation and restore that sense of community that has been pushed aside of late. We must abide by any instructions given to us, and above all show immense respect and gratitude to the real protagonists - the front liners and in particular those involved in healthcare. They all are holding the weight of an entire nation on their shoulders and we should not act recklessly and risk making it any heavier"
Q: How do you really keep in shape - I presume without any competitive practice it becomes so much more difficult for a professional athlete like you?
A: "Right now, I am restricted to my home and away from the water. My schedule has been pretty full over the last years with all my commitments, so I am taking advantage of this situation to rest both mentally and physically. Having said that I dedicate some time each day mainly to keep myself active and healthy. I keep in touch with my physical trainer in Italy who regularly sends us our program to follow week in, week out."
Q: What will be your immediate plans once this is all over - yet we do not know when this will happen?
A: "When I left Rome, we were more than halfway through the league. We are currently joint sixth in the table and I am top scorer in the league. Things are still very uncertain however I would like to stay positive and believe that we will soon be out of this situation and I will be able to go back to Italy and continue with the Serie A1 league season."
Q: Your plans for the future and how do you see local water polo evolving?
A: "Right now with all this uncertainty my main focus is my family and eventually returning to my normal routine and normality. I have a few projects in mind but I have pushed them aside for the time being and I am just concentrating on my immediate future."
Winner of the ASA Player of the Year Honour on seven occasions, and has always featured in the scoring summits of the main local competitions for the past twelve years.
His gallant efforts were rewarded with the coveted Sportsman of the Year 2015 accolade in the L-Ghazliet Sportivi Nazzjonali Contest.
His talents on the European stage came to the forefront in 2007 when he finished third best scorer at the European Water Polo "B" Championships in Manchester.
The powerful shooter has scored an astounding 40 goals in the last three editions of the LEN European Championships - 2016, 2018, 2020 - adding up to 17 games.
Meanwhile his athletic skills keep having no boundaries, skills which have helped our national team reach new heights in recent years in the international water polo stage.
Copyright © 2020 Domenic Aquilina/The Malta Independent