Sports

• Sports and Recreation
• Sports Policy
• Administration and Management
• Clubs and Associations
• Sports Facilities
• Sponsorship and Fundings
• Promotion of Sports and Active Recreation

SPORTS AND RECREATION

Sports and Recreation is now becoming a part of everyday lifestyle for the average Maldivian. The demand for sport recreation facilities are growing rapidly with this trend that has caught with general public. There is a trend of introducing new sports and developing the existing ones. Today Maldivians represent their country at international sporting more frequently and hence success is being achieved more often than before.

The most popular sport is football. Other widely played sports include Volleyball, Cricket, Basketball, traditional women’s sport of ‘bashi’, swimming, netball, carom, tennis and table tennis. Surfing is one of the sports that is catching the eyes of the young and becoming very popular. With the increase development and establishment of health and fitness centres, aerobics and body building is also catching the up with the rest. The new introduction of youth centres and easy access to recreational sports like billiards, pool and darts have engaged the youth in a new dimension of sport activity.

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SPORT POLICY

The administration of sport was only formally developed by the government 2 decades ago. Over this short period, administration has seen rapid development. It is with the expansion and decentralization policy, that the government encourages civil society involvement in the national sport development strategy.
(picture: sport policy book cover)

Under its policy of making sporting opportunities available across the population, especially the youth, the ministry undertakes the development and maintenance of majority sporting facilities. The ministry also subsidies sports facilities of NGOs working in islands, to ensure that the population is well catered for. Apart from building the infrastructures, the quality of sporting activities is improved with training of coaches, officials and administrators. It is with this in mind, that the ministry developed and opened a Youth and Sports Development Centre, to ensure there is continuity in the training of personnel to carry the works across the country. The ministry also organises high level sporting events to give opportunity for the locals to participate, enjoy and experience the different sports.

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ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT

The Ministry of Youth and Sports is responsible for the identification of strategic priorities for sports. Every three years it formulates a plan for the sector based on identified needs and strategic priorities. The Ministry and its subsidiaries are then responsible for implementing the various programmes identified in the three year plan.  The Ministry of Youth and Sports facilitates the provision of sporting and active recreation through the various government and private sports organisations, associations, and clubs.

The National Sports Council functions as an advisory board to the Ministry on its policies and programmes on sporting and active recreation. The wide representation of the sports council helps to understand and tackle the problems inherent in the sporting industry of the Maldives.

The National Olympic Committee (NOC), formulated in 29 November 1979, bears a high percentage of facilitating training and providing funds to local sporting bodies. NOC also give its share of time and money for the development of traditional sports. NOC is the national body responsible for the organising and facilitating the participation of Maldivian sports men and women in Olympic and other international sporting events.

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CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS

Clubs are NGOs registered to their local island communities. These NGOs ensure that sports and active recreational opportunities are made available in the community. With the development of sport, these NGOs are increasing while specializing in individual sports and recreational activities. NGOs also play a vital role in the development of the local communities, sometime through the development of sport.

Majority of the associations were formed on 1st January 1983. As some sports developed and expanded throughout the country, their relevant associations have been formed accordingly.

Apart from Football Association of Maldives, which is associated to the most popular and successful sport in the country, there are a number of associations that are well established and functioning. The following are the current associations that exist within the country for the development, promotion and welfare of their respective sport.

• Volleyball Association of Maldives
• Maldives Basketball Association
• Maldives Swimming and Water Sports Association
• Athletics Association of Maldives
• Badminton Association of Maldives
• Cricket Control Board of Maldives
• Table Tennis Association of Maldives
• Tennis Association of Maldives
• Netball Association of Maldives
• Shooting Association of Maldives
• Soft Tennis Association
• Maldives Carom Association
• Maldives Body Building Federation
• Windsurfing Association

All these associations function under a similar structure. Each of them is headed by a Honorary Chairman or a Chairman. The executive committee then comprises of a Vice Chairman, General Secretary, Treasurer and 3 other members. Currently most of these executive staff is part time staff .

While some programs conducted by these associations are funded through corporate sponsorship and other ad hoc sponsors, the Ministry of Youth and Sports provide assistance financially to sustain the associations.

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SPORTS FACILITIES

Currently there are 2 regional stadiums, in Hdh. Kulhudhufushi and Seenu Hithadhoo. These stadiums consist of a football ground, athletics track, volleyball and basketball courts, changing rooms and office areas. In Seenu atoll stadium, there is also a cricket pitch. In addition to these stadiums there are Youth Centres in HA. Dhidhdhoo, Sh. Funadhoo, Lh. Hinnavaru, , GA. Villingili, GDh. Thinadhoo, Gn.Fuvahmulah and Seenu Gan. These centres provide a place for youth to gather and enjoy a variety of sports.

These centres provide the services and facilities of sport as well as training programmes for the youth. Some of these activities include open water diving courses, aerobics and gym instructor courses and training of sports coaches and officials. In addition; seminars to increase awareness in different areas are also conducted.

The main infrastructure in Male’ includes the National Football Stadium, Outdoor Tennis Court. Male’ Sports Complex and the Youth Centre, which hosts the Indoor Hall.

The construction of the National Football Stadium to accommodate sports offices and accommodation blocks has enabled the sporting federations to host high level local and international events. The World Cup Qualification matches and the Asian Club Championships and all other international matches are hosted in the National Stadium.

The Indoor Hall at the Youth Centre provides competition hall for Volleyball, Basketball and Netball. In addition to the indoor hall at the youth centre, the centre has facilities for a fully equipped gym, seminar and class rooms, health café, cyber café, billiards, carom, chess, table tennis and dart. The centre also has an outdoor basketball court and a netball court.

Male’ Sports Complex is another main infrastructure that provide facilities for a number sports. The complex has an indoor cricket hall, badminton courts, basketball court and a Table Tennis Hall. The complex also has a football ground, a futsal ground, outdoor volleyball courts, a basketball court, a netball court and 3 cricket training pitches within its jurisdiction.

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SPONSORSHIP AND FUNDING

In line with these needs, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in association with the National Olympic Committee and other sporting associations are seeking funds, equipment through bilateral and international ties.

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PROMOTION OF SPORTS AND ACTIVE RECREATION

Sport promotion is indirectly done by Television Maldives and Voice of Maldives. The local daily news papers also play their part in bringing the news.

The increase in competitiveness among sports also means that each individual sports need to embark on promotion to ensure that they do not loose their share of the spectator market as well as funds. Special events, new bulletins, web sites and other related activities are carried out to ensure constant continuity.

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