Jean Todt will be the special guest in tonight’s SportMalta Awards – l-Għażliet Sportivi Nazzjonali finals night in Valletta.

The FIA president, who arrives this morning and is expected to leave the islands at the end of the presentations ceremony at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, will be flying to Malta for the first time following the initiative of the country’s Motor Sport Federation.

Again, the contest is organised jointly by the Għaqda Ġurnalisti Sport and the Kunsill Malti għall-Isport.

Each year a renowned personality in sport is invited for the occasion and this time round Todt, the former director at plush F1 team Ferrari, will be the distinguished visitor.

In 2010, there were two special guests – John Barnes and Massimo Bonini, the former Liverpool and Juventus star footballers.

One important person missing tonight, however, will be Benny Pace.

The founder of the Sportivi Nazzjonali contest, way back in the early 1960s, Pace passed away last February leaving behind a legacy of inspiration to fellow peers in the sportswriters association.

In 2010, Double Trap shooter William Chetcuti retained the honour he had won the previous year with Aaron Ciantar, of the powerboats fame, coming second in the poll ahead of athletics sprinter Nikolai Portelli.

Chetcuti, winner of the title seven times, is again among the finalists this year. The other contenders are Mario Bonello (athletics), Christopher Camilleri (canoeing), Massimo Cremona (table football) and Andre Schembri (football).

2009 Sportswoman of the Year, Rebecca Brincat Thoresen, is also among the finalists. Last year, the basketball player finished ahead of Sue Abela (bowling) and Danica Spiteri (triathlon).

Abela and Spiteri will again vie for the award this year with Davina Mangion (swimming) and Nicola Borg Costanzi (canoeing) completing the list of women nominees.

The ten finalists in both categories also qualify for the SportMalta Award which last year went to Ciantar following his exploits for his Seagull team in the world powerboats championship.

The SportMalta Award winner is determined from a voting process that also includes the public.

Tonight’s show will be transmitted live on TVM, starting at 8.30 p.m.

Other awards will be distributed, including the Team of the Year, Official of the Year and the John Debattista Trophy for the most promising youth.

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