GhKS co-founder, pioneer journalists among 2005 Hall of Famers

The co-founder of the Ghaqda Kittieba Sports (GhKS) and two pioneer sports journalists were among a group of 10 to be inducted in the MOC Hall of Fame yesterday.

Fr Hilary Tagliaferro, sportswriters' association president for 17 years, The Times contributor Lewis Portelli and Carmelo Costa were all recognised for their sterling contribution to local sport, along with John Bencini, of Melita AFC fame, waterpolo player Alfred Grixti, sprinter Nestor Jacono, sailing stalwart John C. Ripard, all-rounder Joseph Demicoli and pre-World War One footballer Ruggieru Friggieri.

Former MOC president Paul Giorgio was also in the Hall of Fame list. He served an unmatched 18-year era as president before retiring in 1946 after committing 35 years of his life to the development of sport in Malta.

Besides occupying various roles in the local football sphere, including coach of Hibernians FC and MFA Technical Director, Fr Hilary worked for 20 years as a sports journalist for Rediffusion, Xandir Malta and PBS. He helped to establish the sportswriters' association and was involved in several initiatives to promote youth football.

Today, Fr Hilary, 71, is still the head of the Youth FA which he also founded in 1982.

Portelli and Costa need no introduction after dedicating most of their lives to broadcasting and relaying sports news, particularly during weekends.

Portelli's career spans 49 years. Producer and presenter on radio, television and on-course commentator at the Malta Racing Club, he covered various assignments for The Times. He is also the editor of The Football Year Book, now in its 19th year, among other publications.

Costa started his career during the late 40s and carried on for almost four decades. He passed away in 1986.

Bencini held various positions in football organisations. Between 1912 and 1915 he served as vice president of the Malta FA. However, he is more renowned for his services to amateur club Melita which he founded in 1933.

Friggieri, iz-Zibga, is an old-time footballer whose career took off with Floriana in 1902. He had stints with St George's and Sliema Wanderers and also played professional football in Italy, between 1913 and 1916, when he signed for Napoli.

Major Jacono distinguished himself in athletics, particularly the 100-yard race. In 1948, he was Malta's sole competitor in the London Olympics.

Mention sailing and you cannot miss out on Ripard, a veteran seafarer and one who practises and promotes the sport with great enthusiasm and pride.

Ripard, a former Middle Sea Race winner, is a highly-respected character in the sailing world.

In the early 80s he was elected international judge and was nominated as jury for the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. He also judged in various editions of the prestigious America's Cup.

This year, the Aquatic Sports Association (ASA) was very much to the forefront in the Hall of Fame list. Before joining the MOC, Giorgio was instrumental in founding the ASA way back in 1925. Yesterday, two former national team players were also named as Hall of Famers.

Grixti won every major honour local waterpolo could offer. He played for Malta and also represented the country in the 1960 Rome Olympics in swimming.

Last year, the MOC inducted the great Emmanuel 'Budgy' Dowling in the Hall of Fame for his exploits in waterpolo and football. This year, the MOC singled out 'Kanesi' Demicoli, like Dowling a former Valletta FC player and a formidable swimmer. In 1936 he played waterpolo for Malta in the Berlin Olympics.

2005 Hall of Fame

John Bencini
Carmelo Costa
Alfred Grixti
Nestor Jacono
Lewis Portelli

John C. Ripard
Joseph Demicoli
Ruggieru Friggieri
Paul Giorgio
Fr Hilary Tagliaferro