Nine, including Saanthi, receive National Award of Recognition

Ihusan Abdul Ghanee, widely known in the Maldivian football community as ‘Saanthi’, has been posthumously awarded the National Award of Recognition for his invaluable service to the country in the field of sports, particularly in the training and coaching of football players.

The award was presented by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to his family during the National Day function on Saturday morning in HA. Utheemu.

Saanthi, 51, had passed away on March 22, 2025, after a two-year battle with cancer.

Saanthi was one of the most prominent and successful coaches in the history of Maldivian football. He began his sporting career as a skilled midfielder for Majeediyya School and Youth Sports Club before specializing in coaching at a young age.

He played a significant role in some of the greatest achievements in Maldivian football history, including as assistant coach during the historic 2004 match in which the Maldives held Asian football powerhouse South Korea to a draw.

When the Maldives won the SAFF Championship for the first time in 2008, he served as the most senior assistant coach to the head coach. He was serving as technical director of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) when the Maldives won the SAFF Championship for the second time, a decade later.

Notable achievements of his career at club level include introducing young talent to Club Eagles and guiding the team to victory in the 2016 President’s Cup.

Saanthi was a dedicated servant of the sport who conducted coaching camps across the country, identified talented young players from the atolls, brought them to Male’ and helped develop them into accomplished footballers.

He devoted his life to advancing Maldivian football and creating opportunities for future generations.

The National Award of Recognition was also conferred to seven other individuals and one company. They are:

• Hawwa Latheef – for raising awareness of Islam, service to the faith, and religious education
• Mohamed Naseer – for contributions to the field of Dhivehi language and literature
• Command Sergeant Major Abdulla Saeed – for contributions to the field of Maldivian history
• Mohamed Ahmed – for contributions to the health sector
• Bison Maldives Private Limited – for contributions to construction and architecture
• Arushad Ahmed – for contributions to communications and information technology
• Aishath Naura – for contributions to the field of sports
• Ismail Abdul Ghafoor – for contributions to the field of visual arts

Thursday’s ceremony also saw acclaimed Maldivian litterateur and historian Ahmed Shakir, better known as Kashima Shakir, receive the Order of the Dignified Rule of the Dhiyamigili Dynasty in recognition of over 41 years of uninterrupted service to the country.

Four others received the National Award of Honor.