Thursday 9th February 2023 marked the official launching of the book named 50 Years of Otters ASC 1971 – 2021. The book was designed by renowned
photographer Daniel Cilia, who selected the best shots from a vast collection of photos, some of which were taken by himself when he was still a young boy
experimenting with photography.
The editor is Frank Muscat, the distinguished English language academic. Thematerial was retrieved from the Club’s archives, which were assembled by the
late George Calleja, a historian by profession, while the history for the latter years was collected by Enzo Dimech.Jean Paul Buttigieg, Daniel Calleja, Paul Dimech and Ivan Galea formed part of the Editorial Board, and it was a concerted team effort, which enabled the Committee’s long-cherished plan to publish this book to come to fruition.
The common denominator which attracted these people to this project was their love towards the Club, the game of waterpolo, Marsalforn and Gozo. Daniel
played for Otters in the Minor League organised by the Gozo Aquatic Association. Frank was a brilliant footballer, who graced the top leagues in Gozo and Malta
for many a year but still found the time to serve as Otters Club President for a considerable period of time. George Calleja, Enzo Dimech and Paul Dimech were
team captains and later Club Presidents at different times. Ivan Galea was the Otters keeper in the eighties and sat on the Committee in the nineties. Jean Paul
and Daniel also played for Otters in different stages of the club’s history, and have filled the posts of treasurer and secretary respectively. The book was printed and bound at Print It – Printing Services of Kordin Malta.
The book’s launching was held at Vini & Capricci at the Gozitano Complex. This launching had to be delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which prevented
Otters from celebrating this milestone in 2021. It was a very well attended event, which attracted both past and present players and members. The Minister for
Gozo, Mr Clint Camilleri, attended the event and congratulated the Editorial Board and the Committee for commemorating the Club’s fiftieth anniversary
with the publication of this book.
The publication of this book was sponsored by the Ministry for Gozo, Nivea, MeDirect, Gozo Channel, Gozo Cottage, Kunsill Regjonali Ghawdex, Meerendal Wine
Estate and Bmit Technologies.
