The Chinese government has donated sports equipment to the Maldives amid a major boost in sports cooperation between the two countries.
Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation, Abdulla Rafiu and Ambassador of China to the Maldives, Kong Xianhua, attended the handover ceremony of sports equipment by the People's Government of Yunnan Province to the Maldives.
The donation contained equipment for a range of sports including football, athletics and table tennis.
Minister Rafiu expressed gratitude to China for the donation of sports equipment as well as its assistance to advance Maldives’ sports sector through continued contributions to training both athletes and officials along with developing sports infrastructure.
This donation of sports equipment to the Maldives symbolises the importance China attaches to the development of sports in the island nation, he said.
He expressed hope that China will continue to provide assistance to the Maldives in the field of sports while reaffirming the government’s commitment to collaborating with China to elevate and develop local athletes.