I rarely put pen to paper and communicate through the media but on this occasion I feel obliged to do so to salute a good friend, a sporting colleague and a member of the Kunsill Malti għall-iSport (KMS) coaching team.
I have had the privilege of knowing Cliff Micallef for over a decade in different spectra of our local society, years which I shall cherish throughout my life for the opportunities that God has granted me in having Cliff as a friend and in some cases even as an amicable critic.
During the last three years, as a member of the Malta Cycling Federation along with my good friend John and other members of the KMS Organisation, Cliff managed to create two projects i.e. the KMS Girls on the Move Cycling and the KMS Cycling for All Campaign.
Throughout the planning phase Cliff was always there to help or to crack a joke when all of us felt lost or tired after a day's work. His colloquial expression "hawn boss" was a standard trademark with all of us within the KMS planning team.
On each and every occasion, come rain or shine, Cliff was always present prior to the Girls on the Move training sessions to help all participants, especially our youngsters, with his magic tool box. Later he took over a guidance role i.e. helping the girls with balancing on the bicycle and maintaining their bike in a good state of repair. A more intense tripartite friendship developed on our regular Saturdays' meeting at St Claire's College Pembroke prior to the KMS Girls on the Move Cycling programme. I had the pleasure of enjoying a variety of discussions with Cliff and John with topics ranging from the printing business, cycling and adequate bicycles to family life and how the computer and internet are managing to entice kids to a sedentary lifestyle.
Our last meeting on Thursday, a week before his tragic death, we eagerly discussed the cycling programmes within the KMS. He was finalising an evaluation report on what was offered during this sporting season and how we could try and increase participation and promote cycling within the local communities.
Our last appointment together had been confirmed on the eve of his death. Unfortunately we did not manage to meet - this was the first ever commitment that Cliff had failed to honour with me.
I, together with everyone at the Kunsill Malti għall-iSport offer our condolences to his family, to John and the Malta Cycling Federation and to all those who, along with me and my colleagues, will miss Cliff and his smile.
To Cliff I can only say we shall keep on working to promote cycling further, with your slogan 'Let's go cycling' .