The Maldives officially kicked off the celebrations for the 75th anniversary of Maldivian football with the grand unveiling of the official commemorative logo.
The significant milestone of Maldivian football’s Diamond Jubilee, was marked by a high-profile ceremony attended by the President and a global football dignitary.
The official logo was launched jointly by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and visiting FIFA President Gianni Infantino during a celebratory festival held at the National Football Stadium in the capital Male’ on Friday.
FIFA President Infantino’s attendance underscored the international importance of the event, having traveled to the Maldives at the invitation of Football Association of Maldives (FAM) President Ahmed Thoriq.
The FAM has been preparing extensively for the year-long commemoration by establishing the special Diamond Jubilee Committee. This dedicated body, formed following a decision by the new FAM Executive Committee, is tasked with ensuring a grand anniversary celebration.
Football veteran Ali Suzain, a former national team coach and current coach of New Radiant Sports Club, has been appointed as the committee's chairman, overseeing coordination efforts guided by local football clubs.
The jubilee celebrations are set to feature 75 distinct activities integrated into the FAM’s annual sports calendar. The overarching plans include a special anniversary football tournament scheduled for June next year. Further activities are focused on recognising the sport's deep-seated cultural impact across the archipelago, including selecting a football personality from each island, identifying the island deemed most dedicated to football, and commissioning the release of an official celebratory song to mark the grand occasion.