President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has announced that land reclamation for the construction of a racing track will commence next week.
He made this statement while speaking at the Espresso with the President youth event, noting that the track will enable the Maldives to host international racing competitions.
The proposed track will be developed outside the Hulhumalé highway. “We are creating a track suitable for international competitions in both racing and drifting. It will be built outside the highway, secured, paved, and supported through land reclamation. I am referring to the highway to Hulhumalé,” the President stated.
President Muizzu further explained that funding has already been allocated for the project, with the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) entrusted with its implementation. He added that the initiative is intended primarily for young people, positioning it as a dedicated sporting facility and describing it as a positive and exciting development.
At present, the drifting community holds events on the wider roads of Hulhumalé, particularly in Phase Two, while similar competitions are also organised on other islands with paved roads, such as Addu City. However, residents have lodged complaints with the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) regarding disturbances caused by these activities.
Additionally, the Racing Association and members of the drifting community have repeatedly raised concerns with sports ministers across several administrations about the lack of specialised facilities, but no lasting solution has been achieved to date.
In his Presidential Address earlier this year, President Muizzu confirmed that development of the racing track would begin in the first quarter of the year, offering a long-awaited solution for the country’s youth.