The death was announced yesterday of former Malta Amateur Bodybuilding Association president Joe Dimech. He was 69 years old.

He was one of the longest serving presidents in any sporting association. He had been elected president in 1958 and occupied that post till a couple of years ago.

He was national bodybuilding champion in 1965, 1968 and 1970. In 1975, he was presented with a Certificate of Merit by the International Federation of Bodybuilders.

In 1989, after the organisation of the Mediterranean Bodybuilding Championships in Malta, he was awarded a silver medal by the international federation.

He was named Official of the Year in the 2000 National Sporting Contests and was three times finalist on other occasions.

During his career, he attended 20 international congresses and formed part of the judging panel of 25 European, Mediterranean and world championships.

Dimech was also responsible for introducing drug testing in bodybuilding in Malta.