Envic Galea was born on 21 September 1950 in Hamrun. At the age of five, his family moved to Valletta. Recalling his childhood, Galea, the third sports personality to be interviewed for this column, had this to say.
“I went to the Pilar Primary School, then to St Aloysius College. In 1964 we moved back to Hamrun. Today I live in Kalkara.” After finishing his secondary education, Envic furthered his studies and even acquired a Masters Degree in International Sports Management from Southern Cross University, Australia. Another achievement was the International Alumnus of the year in 2008 for his sterling work in international sports.
But how did it all start? “I had participated a little in sports, mostly athletics and football at school as at the College we were all encouraged to participate in sports’ activities. At that time, I was more interested in other areas, such as Sciences and Natural History. I used to attend the Natural History lectures at the British Council in Valletta led by Guido Lanfranco and his brother Edwin. Eventually, I ended up secretary and treasurer of the Society. As secretary, we pushed the introduction of better protection of the environment and proposed the project to transfer seaweed from the shores along the coast road to encourage the growth of shrubberies. Our major success was the campaign to select the Centauria Spatulata (Widnet il-baħar) as our national plant. I remember taking the letter by hand to the director for Agriculture, Mr Farrugia, the father of Judge Lino Farrugia Sacco, with whom I would be spending so much time at the MOC. They lived right across our road in Hamrun. This was back in 1968.
It was the time I discovered that there was a Judo/Jujitsu club in Zabbar. I started frequenting that club and it was there that I started showing interest in the sport. I had already seen Judo at the Olympic Games in Tokyo on TV. I was fascinated by Anton Geesink, the first non-Japanese to win a medal. At that time I had never thought I could ever practice this magnificent sport.”
Galea continues to go down memory lane and mentions his first mentor. “My teacher was Joe Caruana, who we all know as Iż-Żużu. I was captivated by how easily he could throw heavy people with so little energy, it looked so simple. Iż-Żużu had such a passion for Judo that it was impossible not to be infected with his love for the sport. It is here that my career in Judo kicked off.”
Last year the Malta Judo Federation celebrated 50 years since its foundation. Galea had this to say about those early days. “I started Judo in 1968. There was no Judo Federation at the time. Wanting to grow and become more organised, in 1969 we decided to form the Malta Judo Association and we set up a steering committee. As I was the acting secretary, I contacted Joe Bajada, then president of the Amateur Athletics Association and asked if we could use their statute as a structure. He was very accommodating and handed me a copy. In 1971 we held our first elections where Anthony Caruana was elected president, Joe Gravina, vice-president, Joe Caruana, national coach, Joe Farrugia, treasurer and I as general secretary.
In the same year, we joined the International Judo Federation, the European Judo Union and the Maltese Olympic Committee. Also that year, another noteworthy event happened − the 41 Comando group arrived in Malta. This was to have a significant impact on the development of Judo in Malta as many marines practised Judo. In fact, whenever a navy ship was entering Malta that had Judokas on board, my friend Flight Lieutenant Ian Crawley at the airforce, would call me to organise some activities. This started our ‘international’ competitions. The away games were fought on the helicopter decks of HMS Hampshire, Tiger and Ark Royal and when we had the home games we went to the University Sports Pavilion and MCAST gym in Msida.”
At that time, there were no weight categories. “I am 1.8m, weighing only 71kg and my opponents were always heavier. We had great fun and we made a lot of friends. My first Club at the university was in the Students' house and later moved to the Sports Pavilion when it was built. We also had mats at the MCAST gym in Msida. I have to mention the excellent support we had at MCAST from Louis Borg, who at that time was also president of the Basketball Federation. He was instrumental in getting us the mats at MCAST.”
Envic then moves on to describe his competitive days. “My competition experience was from 1969 until 1973. As I said earlier, we did not have any weight categories at the time and practically we fought open categories by grading level. In 1972 we organised our first national championships at the Malta Hilton. Thanks to our honorary president, Marquis Anthony Buttigieg De Piro, we had our headquarters there. It was quite a big thing holding the first national championships at the Grand Master's Ballroom at the Hilton. I remember Tony Tanti telling me that he only wore a jacket at his wedding and at the judo nationals!
We had individual categories and team events where I won my class in the individual and came second with our MCAST Team to Zebbug Judo Club. It was a great occasion and the late Henry Calleja recorded radio interviews, right after the athletes came off the mat.”
From a player to an official, how was the transition? “At the time I was competing, I already was serving as general secretary, referee and coach. Therefore, I was already an official. I found that I could give a better service to Judo as an official. Thus, in 1973, I stopped competing, except on some special occasions, and continued coaching and refereeing. The breakthrough for the Federation was in 1988 when we started to represent ourselves at an international level. I attended my first congress in 1989 and in 1991; I was elected to the executive as assistant general secretary. I kept this post for 26 years until 2016, while also holding other posts as head sports director, first vice president, education director and general secretary.”
In November 2012, Galea was called by the president of the IJF to set up the IJF Academy. “The first students started in August 2013. Today the IJF Academy is a Maltese Foundation, registered as a Higher Education Institute with more than 1,500 students in 125 countries, running in 10 languages. Because the Academy grew so much and the commitment became so demanding, in 2016, I informed the president, Sergey Soloveicic that I would not contest my post as GS at the EJU. At the EJU congress, I was awarded Life Honorary Member of the EJU.”
Galea, like every other personality, had good and bad times during his career. “My best experiences were the first years of Judo. We lived Judo day and night. We gave constant demonstrations all over Malta and Gozo and I dare say even in Comino! We combined Judo and Self Defence and were in high demand. During this period, I met friends who over time I would call family: Joe Caruana, Joe Abela, Richard Galea Debono, Alex Bezzina, Godfrey Bezzina, Chris Busuttil, Mario Giuliano and Ray Fava, from the time of University and MCAST.”
In 1984, following the passing away of president Tony Caruana, during an extraordinary General Meeting at the Hilton, Galea was chosen as president. He had served as general secretary for 16 years. A few months after his election Tony 'Ninu' Tanti, national champion for many years and national coach was involved in a fire in his garage in Zebbug. “It was a terrible loss for us all. Losing Tony Caruana and Ninu in the space of a few months was surely one of the darkest episodes of my career.”
His positions within the International Federation brought with it a lot of travel and experience. “The responsibilities of the EJU and the IJF require a lot of travel. Before, my travel commitments were attending Executive Meetings, European and International Tournaments and conferences. Today, besides attending some meetings with IOC and Solidarity or the Technical Delegate, I also travel for the Academy. We visit countries to hold exams and last year we managed to travel to 22 countries in 188 days.”
Apart from the Malta Judo Federation, Galea was actively involved in the Malta Olympic Committee. “When the MJA joined the MOC in 1971, I was always the delegate in the council representing Judo. In 1988, I was elected to the Executive Committee. I was elected every Olympiad after that except for one period until 2014. During this period, I served as Youth Director, a section which I created, as youths at the time were not catered for at the MOC. As there were no funds for Youths, I applied for Olympic Solidarity and managed to convince OS that we needed these funds for national structure. I am grateful to the many hours and dedication, Josephine Calleja, my assistant, gave me in these projects.”
Envic was nominated for Official of the Year award on multiple occasions and even had an active role as an organiser of these awards. “The Olympic Committee in the late 1980s had appointed me as the person responsible for the organisation of these events when the collaboration was between the Sports’ journalists and MOC. I still remember the long meetings in the presence of Father Hilary, Benny Pace and the other members to plan the programmes. On a personal note, I was nominated many times, and many times I placed second, but I never won this award.”
As is practically in all sport, the involvement and dedication of people like Envic are voluntary. The other side of the coin is his daily work and time management. “Yes, my profession is in tourism. I own and run Ultramar Ltd, a destination management company. Fortunately, this work is seasonal and the day to day work is run by my office under the direction of my wife, Doris. When we have conferences, Louisa, my daughter and I try to be present. Now my wife and I are pensioners and rather than stopping altogether, we have downplayed the load we take and only accept a few important events. Now I dedicate more time to the Academy.”
Envic is a family man and he is proud that from his marriage, he raised two children. “My family is of the utmost importance to me. I would not have managed to participate in all these national and international activities without the support of my family, especially my wife. We have now been married for 41 years. Both my children, Louisa and Alex have practised Judo but Louisa was more drawn to the sport. Once I took Louisa with me to a European championship and she was fascinated with the organisation. She started helping me with my work in the Medical Commission and Antidoping. When I was elected general secretary, Louisa joined my office and later joined the office of the president of the IJF where she still works.
Envic has a passion for Italian food and loves all that comes from La Cucina degli Italiani.
I asked him about his favourite destination and was very surprised when he said Gozo, since he travelled so much around the globe. But as he clearly states the sister island is a gem of beauty and relaxation. He is very fond of photography and also loves to discover different cultures around the world.
Galea describes his favourite pastime, though maybe after this enforced period, he will most probably change his mind: “I love staying at home and playing with Benny, my Labrador, or invite the family or visit them. As I do a lot of travel, I treasure these free moments at home.”
Back to Judo and how does Envic see the future of this game on our island. “With the building of our Judo Centre in Pembroke, we took a new turn. We had to start anew. Funding, like for other sports, has always been a problem. Still, with everyone working hard and bidding for all possible funding projects at EU and IJF level, we are managing. I would like to thank Alexis, our hard-working treasurer who dedicates most of her time to these projects. Through the project led by Joseph Castillo, our Education director together with the Physical Education Department, we have managed to add Judo, not only at the National Sports School but also in other projects in Primary and Secondary level. We are not only looking for young new athletes but also young administrators.”
And one final advice that you would like to pass on to the young generation about sport. “When someone tells you that whatever you are attempting is impossible, don't believe them, it only means that you will take longer to do, but nothing is impossible!”