Over the years, Norman Hamilton became a good friend.

Before that for me he was an icon - a voice which over the Rediffusion sets of the early 1960's, presented Malta's first Breakfast show on radio. I liked his style, and as a teenager enjoyed how he presented the pop successes of those days.

Many years later, I still considered him as a communications star in the fields of culture and entertainment. At first meeting, he seemed to be wary of me, as I was becoming involved in political management. This was in the early 1980's.

But soon, we got on together very well and friends, as we acknowledged where we had different and complemetary competences. This was when we both were directors of Radio Mediterranean just after it was first established as a joint venture with Libyan and Algerian participation.

We kept in contact in the years after that and I followed with interest his  activities, he mine. We also worked together on several projects. Right through, he was a communicator and a gentleman, with an emphasis on the gentleness, always available for advice and encouragement with a smile. Norman's loss will be deeply felt at all the institutions where he  gave good service and good guidance.

 My deep condolences go to his wife Josette, his daughters Davinia and Yasmin and all his family.

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MANOEL'S ISLAND

The latest developments in the Manoel island saga are simply not comprehensible. After the government took over the whole of Manoel island, which was well done, it had to set about turning it into a national park. The impression was given that soon, open consultations would be organised to determine how best to achieve this aim.

So then how did it happen that suddenly, almost as a matter of course, a project was hatched for a commercial (no other adjective can describe it) complex? The explanations given are hardly coherent. Even in what they can mean, a strange irony resonates: if the island had remained under the MIDI stewardship, there would have been no need to develop the commercial complex.

The question does not even arise as to whether the decision to launch the complex is good or bad, because already the manner by which it was taken raises suspicions: all done in a flash, behnd closed doors... or so it seemed.  It's a pity the government is letting its credibility crack so easily.

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SPORTS PANORAMA

A large number of Maltese and Gozitans dedicate with much enthusiasm time, effort and personal resources to the practice of one or other of the sports popular on these islands. They participate in sporting events and organise or support them, as well as attend them. They include many hundreds of young people who commit themselves to important challenges in competitive sport, thereby helping to assert and renew our national identity.

Still one is left with the impression that we don't have a full account of the sports situation in this country in all the disciplines where Maltese people are active.... or perhaps it's not being adequately communicated. An analytic "panorama" of this sort would help even ordinary citizens to understand how and where the most effective support could be deployed to back up the ongoing efforts being carried out by our athletes and sportspeople. All too often they occur at a good distance from what the public is attentive for and interested in.