Sports Minister: Aim is to complete projects even if it’s a few due to budget constraints

Sports Minister Abdulla Rafiu, underscoring that there is a great number of projects that need to be completed across atolls, said the government plans to identify the projects that are crucially needed and see to their completion.

He made the remark while responding to queries by lawmakers at Wednesday’s parliamentary sitting regarding sports projects at various islands that remain stalled.

Minister Rafiu emphasized that the state budget did not have enough funds to complete all projects but noted that funds have been allocated to complete four to five projects.

In this regard, he said MVR 284 million is allocated in the budget for the projects of the Ministry. 

As per the Minister, discussion will be held with local councils to identify which projects are most crucially needed for the respective islands and subsequently, allocate the funds to these projects.

He stressed that the government’s aim was to complete projects, even if they are just a few.

Another issue brought up by lawmakers during Wednesday’s parliamentary sitting is the bankruptcy of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM).

Ruling PNC’s Baarah MP Ibrahim Falah had inquired whether FAM had gone bankrupt due to the negligence of the former administration.

In response, Minister Rafiu said the current administration aims to reform the sports laws in the country as part of developing the sports sector which would provide a total solution to the issue raised.

“I believe the amendment of laws, articles of associations of associations, regulations of main affiliative agencies in addition to the laws and regulations of the sports commission and shaping them in a manner they are not contradictory, as the total solution to this. We are currently working on it,” he said.

In this trajectory, he noted that the Ministry had already completed the amendments to the Sports Act which will also include provisions on sports arbitration.

Minister Rafiu said the amendments will be forwarded to the Attorney Genera’s Office “very soon”.

Meanwhile, laws and regulations related to FAM and other sporting associations in the Maldives are also expected to be completed within a short period of time, he added.