Ambassador of China to the Maldives, Kong Xianhua, stated that the experience of athletes from China's Fujian Province would significantly benefit athletes in the Maldives.
The statement was made at a ceremony where sports equipment from Fujian was donated to the Maldives, reinforcing a broader agreement made between the two countries earlier this year.
During the handover ceremony, Ambassador Kong praised Fujian Province as a leading Chinese city in sports, home to international champions and successful national athletes. He emphasised that Fujian operates several grassroots programmes aimed at developing young talent which he said would benefit Maldivian sports.
Ambassador Kong described the sports equipment, including footballs, bags, and athletic apparel, as a symbol of the enduring friendship between China and the Maldives.
This donation is the second sports equipment contribution from Fujian Province this year, following a previous donation of gear for football, table tennis, and athletics in May.
The donation follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in February 2025 between the Ministry of Sports, Fitness and Recreation and the Fujian Provincial Bureau of Sports.
The agreement outlines cooperation, including joint training programs and athlete exchange, development of players, teams, and clubs, training for coaches, referees, umpires, and sports medicine officials, anti-doping education along with increased international opportunities for Maldivian athletes.
Ambassador Kong noted the importance that Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu places on sports, describing the president as an advocate of friendship and unity in the field of sports.