AFC Challenge Cup: Former presidents Maumoon, Nasheed to honour first Maldives matches

Football Association of Maldives (FAM) has decided to invite former presidents Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed as the guests of honour for the first two matches played by Maldives in the AFC Challenge Cup, held from 19 to 30 May.

The first match, between Maldives and Myanmar, will kick-off on 19 May at Galolhu National Stadium in Male’. The second match by Maldives is scheduled for 21 May against Kyrgyzstan.

The guests of honor, decided by a special committee assembled by FAM, was announced at a press conference today by the Maldives national team manager MP Ahmed Mahloof. Including the national team manager, the committee comprises Director of National Teams Ali Suzain, Head of Grass Root and YDP Mohamed Shazil, FAM General Secretary Ismail Izhan and Mohamed Nasir (Naabe’).

Other local dignitaries to be invited as guests of honor include; President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, former president Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, Chief Justice Ahmed Fahiz Hussain, Jumhoory Party leader Gasim Ibrahim and Speaker of the Parliament Abdulla Shahid.

Local dignitaries to be chief guests at the AFC Challege Cup 2014. Right to Left: President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, former president Mohamed Nasheed, former president Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, Chief Justice Ahmed Fahiz Hussain, Jumhoory Party leader Gasim Ibrahim and Speaker of the Parliament Abdulla Shahid -- Sun photo

FAM will invite former president Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik as the guest of honour for the third match by Maldives, held on 23 May against Palestine. Speaker Abdulla Shahid is to honour the match between Turkmenistan and Philippines on 24 May.

Jumhoory Party leader and Maamigili MP Gasim Ibrahim will be invited for the first semi-final match to be held on 27 may and the second semi-final match, also on 27 May, will be attended by Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed. Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain will honour the third place match, to be held on 29 May.

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom will be chief guest of the final match of the AFC Challenge Cup, to be held at Galolhu National Stadium in Male’ on 30 May.

The official invitations for the guests of honour will start to roll out tomorrow, FAM said. At the press conference today, the association also thanked government officials for their cooperation for the competition thus far.

The 2014 Asian Federation Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup, hosted by Maldives and held in the capital Male’ and Addu City from 19 to 30 May, will be participated by Maldives, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Palestine, Laos, Kyrgyzstan, Philippines and Turkmenistan.