Minister: Govt aims to create pathway for talented athletes in atolls to join national teams

The government aims to create a pathway for talented youths living in islands outside the capital to join national teams, says Abdulla Rafiu, the Maldivian sports minister.

Rafiu made the comment in an exclusive interview with Sun on Tuesday, following the official inauguration of the football field in M. Mulah.

In his interview, Rafiu spoke about efforts by the government to develop sports infrastructure and resources in the atolls and decentralize sports.

He told Sun that work on the recreation center in Mulah – a project which he said has been stalled for the last 15 years – has now been contracted to the Road Development Corporation (RDC).

He said that it is among projects that are being re-started in line with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s promise to ensure the continuation of stalled projects.

Rafiu said that recreation centers will be built in 187 islands over the next two years.

He added that the government is also working on building outdoor gyms in all residential islands as promised.

He also expressed high hopes for the passage of the sports bill, and decentralization of sports in the Maldives.

“The main purpose of this is to create a pathway for talented youths in the atolls to join national teams. We hope this will create a system where youths can be recruited [from islands across the Maldives] to national sports teams in order to decentralize the management of football and other sports,” he said.

During his visit to Mulah, Rafiu also inaugurated a license track and ferry terminal developed by the local council.