A few weeks after France's David Lappartient was elected as the new President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), Malta gained further recognition at international level when Joe Bajada, General Secretary of the Malta Cycling Federation was nominated as a Member of the inaugaral UCI Commission, reprisenting Solidarity and Small Countries. Dr. Mohammed Wagih Azzam of Egypt was appointed as President of this commision, while also serving as the President of the African Cycling Confederation and as one of the vice presidents of the UCI. The other members who make up this Commission are: Jamal Al-Faouri (Jordan); Trevor Bailey (St. Vincent and the Grenadines); Camille Dahm (Luxembourg); Robert Farrier (Trinidad and Tobago); Amadou Hamidou Saley (Nigeria) and Dae Hoon Lee (Korea), while the Commission Coordinator is Marjorie Guillaume from France.
Mr Bajada's nomination was made by UCI President Lappartient and was approved by the UCI Management Board. This appointment is for four years, and will further increase the recognition of hard work made by Joe Bajada on the international cycling scene. Indeed this appointment continues with that obtained last March when the same Joe Bajada was elected for an important post within the European Union (UEC) when he was one of 15 European delegates elected where they voted for the 50 European countries affiliated members, at the Annual General Congress of the International Cycling Federation. These 15 European voters were also joined by 30 other delegates from four other confederations which are the ACC (Asia), COPAC (Pan America), CAC (Africa) and OCC (Oceania). This post is also for four years.
Very satisfied with his new appointment, Joe Bajada would like to thank president David Lappartient for this nomination as well as the UCI Management Board for their approval. He stated that this is not only a personal success for him, but above all for Maltese Cycling and Sport.
This nomination recognizes how the local cycling is much more respected and appreciated on the International scene. Joe Bajada also thanked the Malta Cycling Federation, his employees at Sport Malta, and his family for all their support.