Tomorrow is the Mdina Knights’ Annual General Meeting, which also marks the end of Warren Sammut’s term as President.
Thus, The Third Eye decided to hold a brief interview with Warren, in which he spoke about his experience with Mdina Knights and student activism in general.
Warren, today marks your last day as President of the University Futsal Team. How does it feel?
To be honest, I don’t know! I’m focusing on the AGM tomorrow, so it feels like I’m still in it. However, I know it will hit me hard some two weeks from now — where I will find myself with no futsal related tasks! I will miss being part of the team — I will miss the players, the coaches, the committee members. Yet, I know that I have given it my best shot, and therefore, although I am closing a chapter, I do not have many regrets. Also, knowing that there are candidates running for each post, I can leave my post knowing that the club will be in good hands.
Which was your biggest achievement during your time with the Knights?
Being a founding member, creating something from scratch, and seeing it grow is something which provides a lot of satisfaction — especially our brand. Personally, my biggest achievement is that as President, I have managed to keep everyone together amidst a difficult season, maintaining our structures, and our honour, in place. This provided our fighting spirit, both on the court and as an organisation.
Is there a particular goal that you remember?
Since it’s futsal there are too many goals!
I definitely remember Leo Muscat flicking the ball mid-air and scoring with a half-volley against Valletta, which was what started to make the Valletta clan go crazy that night — if you know what I mean.
I also remember Jake Azzopardi’s game-changing shot from the wing against Qrendi because it shocked everyone!
Or how about Roberto Sarcia’s brace against Sliema? He sure was on fire.
I also loved Gaetano Gesualdi’s poaches from just underneath the goalkeeper. Then there are far too many goals by Cleaven Portelli to remember.
Yet, I definitely remember all posts hit by Paul Scerri!
You’ve been active in student organisations for years Warren – was the University Futsal Team the last organisation to be a part of?
I was active in student organisations since my first year, way back in 2007! I got into the Tourism Studies Association after a few months of University, and I was involved until 2011.I served the last academic year of my B.A. Tourism Studies (2010-11) as President. When I started my M.A. Tourism, I moved to Insite (2011-12) where I was the External Officer. Eventually, I was elected to KSU on the SDM ticket (2012-13) as Social Policy Coordinator. During my term in KSU, we had once mentioned the idea of a sports team — which eventually became the University Futsal Team. Since the team allowed graduands of 2 years, and I was a fresh graduate, I started as PRO of the University Futsal Team. Eventually, I was promoted to Vice-President, and then came this year.
Meanwhile, I was also a Student Rep (2010), and was part of four Student Fests (2010-2014), and various Campus Fests!
It is now definitely about time that I leave it up to fresh blood to take over.
Do you think that the Knights could have achieved better results this season overall?
Yes and no. I do know of a few matches where our inexperience came to the forefront and smacked us hard in the face — matches we could have won, in hindsight.
However, due to the format, we could not do a lot more. Keeping in mind that teams Luxol, Hamrun and Lija, employ professional foreigners to simply play futsal as their bread and butter, takes off a certain amount of pressure on us, while confirming our fighting spirit and willingness to compete and learn.
I now know that my time is over and personally, I will be on the lookout for new experiences. Yet, I think I have left a base which is strong enough to build upon. I am lucky to have worked with, managed and mentored a beautiful crop of talented people — be it committee, coaches or players.
I’ll obviously be watching the matches next season.
I’ll forever be a fan.
