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FROM THE WORLD MILESTONES
Uruguayan sports journalist Jorge Savia dies aged 75
By Ernesto Ortiz Gomez Jorge Savia, a member of the Circle of Sports Journalists of Uruguay for 49 years, died on October 22, 2023.
Savia could not attend Qatar 2022 where he would have received the Journalists on the Podium distinction that was awarded to those who have covered eight or more World Cups.
He was a reference for several generations. He began his career as a jour- nalist in 1968 and covered a total of 12 World Cups, the last of which was in South Africa 2010.
He interviewed Pelé, Maradona, Beckenbauer, among other prominent for- eign football players, not to mention the enjoyable conversations with Uru- guayan athletes. He was a journalist and editor of the sports supplement Ovación of El País until 2016 and then continued his career in the defunct portal Ecos and in La Oral Deportiva. In total, he covered 53 editions of the Copa Libertadores de América, the highest club competition in South America. A lover of boxing, his second sporting passion, he also gained prestige as a prominent voice on Uruguayan television in different coverag- es as host of the KO programme on the VTV signal. He received the Legion Book Award, a special award from the Uruguayan Chamber.
In 2022, AIPS America honoured him with the Abelardo Raidi Award for his career. A few years earlier he had
received the Don Quixote from the
CPDU, for his 40 uninterrupted years
of professional career and as a mem- ber of the CPDU, of which he was head of the Court of Honour.
For a few months, Savia was in a nursing home after having suffered some complications in his health, derived from a post-operative kidney problem and a cardiovascular acci- dent.
Jorge Savia
URUGUAY
THE NETHERLANDS
Former NSP chairman Charles Taylor passes away
Former NSP chairman Charles Taylor
Former NSP chairman and chief Telesport/De Telegraaf Charles Allen Taylor died on August 25 at the age of 80. Taylor headed the sports editorial team of De Telegraaf from 1977 to 2005 and wielded the gavel of the Dutch Sports Press Foundation from 2005 to 2007. Dur- ing that period he restored unity in Dutch sports journalism.
In De Telegraaf, football chief Valentijn Driessen described Taylor as a “sports journalist with a lot of charm who could also deliver a strong punch”.
An excerpt from Driessen’s In Memoriam for Charles Taylor reads: “Missing out on a career at the highest level as a footballer because he did not receive permission from home to play on Sundays, Charles Allen Taylor more than compensated in his working life. First as a reporter, and later as head of De Telegraaf/Telesport, he was in pole position for many years at the biggest sporting events in the world. “Sports associations, directors, trainers, players and politicians some- times shuddered at his Opinion the next day on the cover of Telesport. And sometimes they walked for a week with their chests up and their heads in the clouds because of a compliment from him.
In the Dutch sports world, Charles Taylor's opinion is authoritative. Especially after he became Chief Telesport in the summer of 1977, after eleven years of reporting. The Opinion was his weekly ritual for at least 28 years.
“Taylor had the right to speak because he moved among all levels of sports people until his retirement. He showed his face in all kinds of disciplines at all levels in the stadiums and boardrooms.”
KENYA
SJAK pays tribute to Sean Cardovilis: once a petrolhead, always a petrolhead
PHOTO BY CAPITAL FM, KENYA
Sean Cardovillis
By Samson Ateka Born on February 23, 1973 at War Memorial Hospital in Nakuru, Sean Cardovillis, who died on September 9, 2023, will be remembered for his passion of English Premier League, rallying, rugby 7s and indeed the soaring motocross ‘pikis’ he ardently rode some years back.
In the 20-plus years that he ruled the roost on radio and TV platforms, Sean made an indelible impression, by and large. He started off as a sports reporter and presenter for KTN way back in 1996, literally just after he graduated from USIU.
At the beginning of 1997, he joined Capital FM where he later rose to the role of Sports Editor. In December 2005 Sean had decided he needed a fresh impetus into his broadcast career after he had achieved all that could be done with radio in Kenya.
He then resigned from Capital FM at the end of 2005, to join Paradise FM, which was run by the state broadcaster Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation.
On his return to Kenya, Sean later rejoined Capital after a stint at NTV. In February 2022, Sean was hospitalised for 3 weeks at Aga Khan Hospital when one of his lungs collapsed with severe pneumonia.
He managed to fight back and was enjoying good health including cycling 50/80 kilometres on sundry occasions. But in September 2023, he collapsed on the stairs leading to his flat and was found the next morning, next to his road bicycle about 14 hours later.
On behalf of the SJAK family, we celebrate a man who made a lasting impression in the broadcast world.
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