Malta Motorsport Federation join plea to allow competitive sport return

The Malta Motorsport Federation is the latest local governing body of sport to make an appeal to the government and the health authorities to allow the return of competitive sport.

On Monday, the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta, the Malta Basketball Association, and the Malta Football Association issued a joint statement to ask the authorities to ease their restrictions over organised sport that expire on April 11.

The MMF said in a statement that motorsport is practiced outside, in extremely large areas without any contact whatsoever amongst drivers, officials, and mechanics. There are no concerns about keeping social distancing since all venues allow for this, it added.

Duncan Micallef, president of the Malta Motorsport Federation said: “Three National Championships, Hillclimb, Karting and Drag Racing that involve around 500 teams are still waiting to start.

“If they do not start as soon as possible, Maltese teams will lose their opportunity to represent Malta, abroad next year. Other drivers that usually compete in club events like Off-Roading and Classic Cars gatherings are also ready to start under strict COVID-19 regulations as they did during last year.

“Events under strict restrictions last year led to Island Car Club successfully finish the Enemed National Hillclimb Championship leading to five drivers being eligible to represent Malta in the Automobile International Federation (FIA) Hillclimb Masters happening in Portugal in October.”