Obituary

Malta Wrestling Federation Founder Bonello Passes Away

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (September 4) -- Simon A. Bonello, former president and founder of the Malta Wrestling Federation, passed away on Monday. He was 85. 

Bonello introduced freestyle wrestling to Malta in 1967, which led to the creation of the federation in late 1969. A year later the federation became fully affiliated with the International Federation.

He served as an official of the Maltese Olympic Committee for 25 years, vice president for four years, and was an established referee. Bonello was one of Malta's longest serving presidents of a national association.

Bonello also worked to promote wrestling outside of his home country. His organization hosted international wrestling tournaments between 1993 and 2004 involving European small states and autonomous regions. 

During the 1970s, Bonello also served as president of the Weightlifting Federation, Bodybuilding Association and Chess Federation. He spent time working as a journalist and was vice president of the Sports Journalists Association.
 

#development

Niamkey elected to Advisory Board of the International Council for Coaching Excellence

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 2) -- Deqa NIAMKEY, United World Wrestling's Development Director, has been elected as a Board Member of the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) by the ICCE General Assembly during the 14th ICCE Global Coach Conference in Singapore.

"I am honored to join such a distinguished organization, working to enhance the coaching education pathways with renowned experts. UWW is working to establish a coaches certification program in collaboration with worldwide universities. Being a member of the ICCE advisory board will provide me with the tools to implement this exciting project," said Niamkey. "I would like to thank our President, Mr. Nenad Lalovic, for his trust and endorsement and ASOIF for their continued support."

Niamkey will serve in office for two years (2024-2025), with an option to be re-elected by the General Assembly in Athens in 2025.

More information on ICCE:
The mission of the ICCE is to lead and support the development of sport coaching globally.

The ICCE is a not-for-profit, global organization that aims to lead and develop sport coaching globally. ICCE members seek to enhance the quality of coaching at every level of sport.

The International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE) was established on September 24, 1997, by delegates representing 15 countries during the second International Coach Education Summit held at Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel. The idea of creating an international body to represent coaches and coaching was discussed by Uri Schaefer from Israel, Jurgen Kotzel from Germany and Sue Campbell from UK at the 1994 meeting marking the 20th anniversary of the Trainerakademie in Cologne, Germany.