Teddie Borg was a veteran journalist who always worked in favour of sport in Malta.

Maltese sport has lost one of its most inspirational contributors after Teddie Borg passed away early yesterday morning. He was 78.

Hailed as a man for all seasons due to his versatility and dedication, Mr Borg was an avid sportsman, administrator and sports journalist.

In the late 1950s, he played as a goalkeeper for Rabat Ajax in the top division of Maltese football. Later, he served on the committee of Rabat Ajax as secretary. But Mr Borg is best remembered for his passion for racing, be it on land or sea.

The Maltese Olympic Committee led the tributes.

“The Maltese Olympic Committee joins the national sports associations in conveying its condolences to the Borg family after the death of Teddie was announced – a name synonymous with Maltese sport and for many years associated with sailing and sea sport,” the MOC said.

“The committee remembers Borg as a person who promoted the ideals of sport in several sectors... [He was involved] in sports administration, journalism and organisation and, above all, in the promotion of the sporting culture in the Maltese society.” In the early 1980s, Mr Borg founded the first Malta Motorcycle Association which had more than 400 young members.

During his tenure as president of the association, he was instrumental in the organisation of the FIM World Congress, which was held in Malta in 1980.

Mr Borg was also the head of the sports department at One TV (formerly Super One) and a regular contributor on sea sports for Times of Malta/The Sunday Times of Malta, covering an array of prestigious events including the Rolex Sydney to Hobart.

During his sporting career, Teddie Borg was the catalyst in the promotion of Maltese talent

In addition to his involvement in powerboat racing, Mr Borg was for many years a member of the executive committee and vice commodore of the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

He was particularly fond of the Rolex Middle Sea Race and his unstinting efforts played a key role in transforming this annual regatta into a prestigious event on the international sailing calendar.

Sport Parliamentary Secretary Chris Agius and Robert Cutajar, the PN spokesman for sport, also paid tribute to the man who, since 2013, had been a board member of the Malta Sports Council.

“During his sporting career, Teddie Borg was the catalyst in the promotion of Maltese talent and represented our country on several occasions as an expert on sailing,” Mr Agius said.

“He was the person who, with the support of Powerboat P1, founded the Maltese federation of powerboats.”

Describing him as a “former colleague in sports journalism”, Mr Cutajar hailed Mr Borg’s contribution to Maltese sport.

The Sports Journalists Association saluted Mr Borg as “an active member of the association for many years and a veteran journalist who always worked in favour of sport in our country, especially sea-related sports.

“He will be remembered for the hundreds of television programmes about sailing, Starboard, he produced and presented on local television stations.”

Mr Borg is survived by his wife Roselle, sons Raymond, Charles and Christopher and their families.

His funeral will take place tomorrow at the Gżira parish church at 8.30am.