Charles Camenzuli was born in Vittoriosa on the  14th  June 1955,  son of the late Joseph and Theresa nee’ Camilleri. He is married to Anna since 1978 and has two sons,  Robert and Andrea.

Yours truly and Charles have got many things in common. We both pride ourselves that we hail from Vittoriosa, we live just a stone throws away in San Gwann and I owe much of my journalistic career, which now dates back thirty years to Charles.

But how was his childhood in the early sixties? ‘I consider my early years as post war since half of Birgu was still rubble. At that time the residents were facing a lot of problems including social ones. But the feasts and sport were the main focus for those who lived during those days. Looking back nostalgically I say that it was a particular environment and though facing challenging times, we who experienced them have got a particular quote to sum it up.  ‘Thank God I was born and bred in Vittoriosa’.

Charles attended Primary Education at the  Mount Carmel School which was a school run by the nuns in Vittoriosa.  ‘Wonderful memories which are encrypted in a photgraphic collection by one of the best Maltese photographers, Frank Attard.  Secondary education followed at St. Albert the Great College, Valletta with post secondary education at the Polytechnic, Msida.’

But Charles is synonymous with Sport. So how did his interest start? ‘My interest was always there but my childhood in Birgu was influenced by the late Lino Bugeja who apart from being an educator was sport oriented. For him the Olympic Movement meant a lot and it was thanks to him that as a kid I started to understand the definition of sport.’

‘An interesting anecdote is that in 1960 my parents decided to buy a television set. This coincided with the Rome Olympics and being a five year old watching for three entire weeks the whole Olympics left a huge impression on me. I can still recall certain moments of these Games. But to be honest I never thought that I was going to be were I am today, being amongst the first one hundred and twenty journalists from all over the world who attended the most editions of the Olympic Games. Between Summer and Winter Olympics I totalled eleven editions’.

And from this interest a long but rewarding journalistic career kick started. ‘Everything started in 1973 when I was still eighteen years old. There was an advert on the daily newspaper ‘In-Nazzjon Taghna’ to recruit a sports journalist. I applied and Benny Pace called me over. After a year of training on the 1st March, 1974 I started working officially. An interesting fact is that I’m the longest serving journalist at this Media House going through all stages namely ‘In-Nazzjon’, ‘Il-Mument’ and  ‘The Democrat’. Magazines ‘Il-Poplu’ and ‘ Life & Style’, Radio 101 and Net TV. And if I had to start all over again I wouldn’t change anything.’

And what about the good and the bad times? ‘ I consider myself a lucky person after forty seven years in this sector. Starting a career interviewing Pele is not the order of the day. Benny Pace couldn’t make it on the day and he handed over the job to me. Meeting and interviewing Pele in his only visit on our shores was for me something out of this world. An interesting anecdote is that after the interview Professor Julio Mazzei, who accompanied Pele and who was the manager and coach of the Brazilian star who took him from Santos to New York Cosmos, called me asking for my address since Pele requested it. At that tender age of nineteen I didn’t have a visiting card. A few weeks elapsed and I received a Pele shirt which he wore before leaving Santos.’

‘From that interview till today I made over five hundred interviews from Olympic medalists to World Champions. And during all this time I never had a refused or cancelled interview. But every competition has it’s own characteristics. I attended eleven Olympic Games, four World Cup Finals, eleven editions of the Mediterranean Games and the same amount of Commonwealth Games , Swimming World Championships and Athletics.’

But Camenzuli had an administrative role in the Ghaqda Gurnalisti Sport which dates back to the early seventees. ‘ I started way back in 1973 when there was the famous controversy between Benny Pace and the Ghaqda at the time presided by Fr Hilary. Bar 1979 I was always elected and I assumed the role of Secretary for more than 25 years and 12 years as President.’

‘Three years ago when I was elected as President of AIPS Europe I felt that I had to move on and give way. But I was elected as Honorary President. During my years I saw a complete reshaping of sports journalism, from an amateurish approach to a professional one.  I feel  honoured to have worked close to journalists such as Tom Hedley, Carmelo Costa, Joe Griffiths, Lewis Portelli, Henry Calleja, Mario Meli and Fr Hilary. But above everyone the person whom I remain grateful forever, Benny Pace.’

Charles mentioned the AIPS. What role does this organization play in Sports Journalism? ‘AIPS is the world association of sports journalists. Proud that I’m the only person who attended 39 consecutive congresses since 1981.  In 1989 I was elected in the Executive Committee even assuming the roles of Financial Secretary and General Secretary. Since  four years I am the President of the AIPS Europe and Vici President of AIPS.’

‘Six years ago during the Congress I was elected as Honorary Secretary General ad vitam.  I was lucky to work with three Presidents namely Frank Taylor, Togay Bayatli and for the last twelve years Gianni Merlo. Top of the Agenda for AIPS are the fight against racism and corruption.’

And for Charles how did  sport evolve along the years? ‘Sport has made great strides but always on a parallel basis with what was happening in the social, education and economic aspect. But we can’t make comparisons between old and present times cause circumstances are different. But one certainty is that in today’s world of sport an athlete has to be professional both physically and mentally.’

Charles followed from the beginning the Games for the Small States of Europe reporting from various countries. What importance do these games have? ‘I’m the only journalist that reported all the GSSE from the first edition way back in San Marino 1985. These are games where the Maltese athlete can measure his success or otherwise with athletes of the same level. So yes these games are still relevant. But for an athlete the GSSE have to be the first step  of his career and not the epic.’

Charles involvement in the Ghaqda Gurnalisti Sport meant that he played a key role in the Sport Malta Awards. But are these awards still relevant and do the athletes give them their due importance? ‘These are the Oscars of Maltese Sport. Way back in 1960 Benny Pace organized the first edition. And they are still there after sixty years, so they are still relevant and important. For the winners this is an appreciation for the success. I have been involved in this event for over forty years and so their evolvement from a simple voting process to a computerized and professional one. But talking about these awards I pause and think about the memory of my colleague John Debattista, for me he was a brother that I never had.’

Charles was also active in the Malta Olympic Committee for over twenty five years and he left citing possibility of conflict of interest after being elected President of the Ghaqda Gurnalisti Sport. ‘Within the MOC I was responsible for Media and Public Relations where I believe that I contributed a lot. I’m still in contact with the MOC where I’m working on the story of Sport in Malta and hopefully I will be a helpful hand in the setting up of the MOC Museum.’

Meeting great athletes and personalities is something that he treasured. Is there any particular person that left a positive impression? ‘The good thing is that I even kept personal relations with some of them. Best of all is Pietro Mennea but got to mention George Best who I consider as another friend. In fact I was one of the last journalists who interviewed him on camera. And also Ferenc Puskas whom I used to visit regularly together with my colleague Jeno Boskovics when I had my office as Secretary General of AIPS in Budapest.’

A journalist is also human and has his favourite team both locally and abroad. But does Charles follow any particular team or athlete? ‘Locally my favourite team will remain forever Vittoriosa Stars with whom I was General Secretary in the 1970s. As regards to foreign sport though I tend to say I’ve got a soft spot for Bologna. Normally one starts supporting a team which during his childhood is making the headlines. And in the beginning of the 60’s Bologna were the team of the moment with players like Negri, Pascutti, Nielsen, Haller and Bulgarelli.’

And amongst all the sport that Charles covered what is his favourite? ‘ My choice is athletics, the Queen of Sport. It’s a sport with has got human physique fighting against time. For me it’s fascinating.’

Now that Charles is retired from his main job how is a typical day for him? ‘ Though being in sport since 1974 for thirty years I worked with a Notary and from there I learnt a lot especially the human resources aspect. So now I’m fully focused on sport and apart from my related AIPS work, I’m a part time lecturer at the University of Malta within the Institute for Physical Education and Sport. Furthermore I’m responsible for Sports News on Net TV from Monday to Friday apart from producing and presenting the multi-sport programme ‘Sport Extra’ which is now in it’s 22nd year.’

For Charles family is the most important and remains top priority. ‘ I consider myself lucky that though having such a hectic life I always had my wife Anna all square behind me. We have grown up together since we first met in 1975.’

And what about his culinary tastes. ‘ Junk food aside I’m not fussy about food. But obviously it’s important that a taste of pasta is always on the menu.’

Having practically toured the world due to his  journalistic roles does Charles have a favourite pick. ‘ Every country has it’s own characteristics and it’s always a different experience. But having said this Rome still remains top of the list.’

Charles tries to give a helping hand during his free time. ‘Practically I can do anything. Cooking, DIY and much more. But some time in the garden is important from my end. Books also play an important part in my life. I hope that when in three years time I celebrate 50 years in journalism  I do it in style publishing a book ’50 years – 50 stories’.

‘And when I have some time on my hands I delve into the my enormous library which I consider it as one of the biggest sports ones. And everytime I find something new amongst the thousands of books that I’ve got. So life is always a learning curve.’

Nearing his golden anniversary in journalism Camenzuli is still motivated as if he’s just started his career. ‘ Yes I’m still on the ball and buzzing with enthusiasm. Maybe time is calling me to start preparing for a publication not necessarily a biography but more of a ‘memoires’ book. I’ve got a positive character and thanks to sport I matured a lot.  I also think that I gave my fair share in various fields so these could move forward.’

Drawing this interesting interview to an end Charles passed on one final message. ‘On starting my career Benny Pace had told me that every day is a miracle. And life is like that and so it remains.  It’s important for the young generation to be humble and ready to learn. It’s never too late to learn. Unfortunately today everyone wants to be the protagonist immediately. Sometimes after the first interview or programme. Everything takes it’s own time and before running you have to start walking.’