Another summer is passing by and we still feel the absence of our friend Cain Pavia. I am sure that if Cain was still here with us, he would be coming down to Sliema pitch, with his lovely daughter, Julia.

In our early teens we used to start training early in the morning. Cain and I used to spend practically all our summer swimming and training.

We were a group of friends that used to spend whole days together playing for our team Sliema and we're proud to say that we won most of the leagues in the minors' competitions.

Today, some of us still play for different teams while others have quit but we still meet occasionally for a good evening between friends. Unfortunately, Cain won't be physically there but one thing he can be sure of is that we feel his presence all the time.

I was lucky to be with Cain in 1994 when we took part in a training camp in Hungary for four months, with three other Sliema players, Keith Grima Scott, Clint Debono and Kurt Engerer.

It was a lifetime experience for us as we trained with the best two teams in Hungary, BVSC of Budapest and Eger team.

Under the supervision of Gerandes and Dennis Poscik, we practised with their first squad and believe me, it was no joke because we can say that we trained with the best players in the world.

Unfortunately destiny wasn't that kind to Cain and on February 19, 2000, Maltese waterpolo lost a promising player. Cain died at the young age of 24 and I can say that that day we all lost a great friend and an amazing person.

So, in honour of my best friend Cain, with the help of all his friends and the co-operation of the Sliema Aquatic Sports Club, I am organising a match at the Sliema Waterpolo club this evening at 8.15.

One team will be made up of players who played with Cain with St Julians, Ta' Xbiex and Exiles and the other outfit will be a mixture of U-16 and U-18 players, who were Cain's team-mates in Sliema's title winning side.

After the match, there will be a pasta night and a disco where Mr and Mrs George Pavia will present the Cain Pavia Trophy to the winners.

All his friends, team-mates and whoever knew him are invited to join this occasion.

I started this event last year and had a good response and I hope that this year will be even better.

It's the least we could do for a guy who was such a nice person!