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.
 

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Meskout elected UWW Africa Council President for third time

By United World Wrestling Press

CASABLANCA, Morocco (April 28) -- Fouad MESKOUT was elected as the President of the UWW Africa Council for a third time after he won the election held Monday.

The UWW Vice President was among the eight candidates who contested to be members of the Africa Council. Meskout won with a thumping majority while six other members of the Executive Board were also re-elected.

The elections, held on the sidelines of the African Championships which begins Tuesday, received eight nominations for seven spots and saw 31 voters with 17 being the majority.

UWW AfricaThe seven elected members of the UWW Africa Council. (Photo: United World Wrestling Federation / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Elected members

Fouad MESKOUT (MAR)
Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY)
Nestor RAVELOSON (MAD)
Allahjabo OWLO (SUD)
Honore ALLOU (CIV)
Ngom MALICK (SEN)
Urbaine SISSA MBEDY (CMR)

The elected members decided to re-elect Meskout as the President. Sissa Mbedy was elected as the Vice-President while Elsayed was named Secretary General. Raveloson will take the role of Joint Secretary General.