Tonio Cini has been unanimously elected for the post of chairman of the Malta Motorsport Federation, which is the national motorsport council affiliated to FIA, following the resignation of Joe Anastasi.
The Malta Motorsport Federation Council decided to call an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), in order to deal with the issues in a holistic manner and this was held last week. The clubs and associations members present, 13 of the 14, approved the motion whereby the EGM was changed into the Annual General Meeting, thereby discussing the annual report, finances and subsequently electing Tonio Cini unanimously as the new Federation chairman, and Johann Pace, Treasurer. The latter also represents the Motorcycle off-road section of Assocjazzjoni Sport Muturi (ASM).
Tonio Cini, 39, representing All Wheel Drive Club - Malta, was nominated for the post of chairman by Federation members - Malta Mini (Owners) club, and Classic Ford Malta.
He has been involved in motorsport for the past 16 years, a number of which he spent as general secretary of the AWDC; he was a committee member in the Government Environment Action Plan board and in the Government Motorsport Action committee chaired by Pippo Psaila.
Cini is currently not involved in any motorsport club committees; but is one of the crew and the prime organiser behind Paqpaqli ghall-Istrina, a massive static motor show instigated by Paqpaq motoring programme which gathered all Motor related clubs in one area for the good cause of Istrina.
Furthermore, Cini is Team Manager of two vehicles which have and will be competing again in foreign competitions representing Malta and is also a committee member in the Malta International Airport Sports and Activities Committee.
His election is viewed as being highly decisive in this crucial moment of the federation's existence. His impartiality is expected to serve as a unifying force between the federation members and to bring more clubs in the Malta Motorsport Federation.
During this meeting, All Wheel Drive Club - Malta, who were expected to take over the Federation's presidency, declined the offer for this post for this year as they believed the federation would be better represented if another club had to hold the presidency, given the fact that the Federation chairman and secretary are now both AWDC members. For this year, American Auto Club Malta will hold the presidency.
In the meantime, the Federation Council has started to implement a strategic plan that will work out on a three-year period for the benefit and advancement of the Maltese Motorsport.
The strategic plan is to address the internal process and operational performance of the Federation, the drafting of the National Technical Regulations (NTR) and the National Competitions Rules (NCR) as well as the Common Organising Conditions Guidelines (COCG) along with seminars for all affiliated clubs to improve on safety during motorsport activities.
From the date of his appointment as chairman of the federation, Cini was the guest of honour at the Karting Club Malta annual dinner where he presented the trophies to the winners of the Cafe Oasis Kart Racing Championship 2007 - 2008.
The executive council would like to publicly thank outgoing president Brian St John from the Alfa Romeo Owners Club and Joe Anastasi from the Island Radio Model Car Club, in particular, for their contribution towards establishing the federation.