Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness Abdulla Rafiu has said construction of the sports complex planned for Addu City, is expected to begin this year and be completed by November next year.
Speaking on PSM’s “Ahaa” forum, Minister Rafiu said the design and technical work for the project had been completed, while work of the sports complex’s structure had now been contracted.
“The work on the sports complex in Addu City, has been contracted to a party. We have shared the project information with MACL, and they have now completed the required design and technical work. The structural work has also been awarded for implementation,” the Minister said.
He added that the concrete foundations for the badminton hall being constructed in Addu had already been laid. Discussions are currently under way with the contractor to expedite the construction work, he said.
The Minister said that if the work is delayed, the Government would terminate the contract and award the project to another party.
The Addu Sports Complex project was contracted to Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) on 5 November last year. The project was among the initiatives contracted during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to Addu City last year.
Government plans 27 indoor sports complexes across Maldives
Subsequently, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness Abdulla Rafiu has said the Government has decided to develop 27 indoor sports complexes in different parts of the Maldives.
The only indoor sports court currently available in the Maldives is located at the Male' Youth Centre. The Government is working to establish additional indoor courts in the Male' area, including in Hulhumale' Phase Two and Vilimale', Minister Rafiu said.
Speaking on PSM’s “Ahaa” forum, the Minister said the Government was working to develop a number of indoor sports complexes to provide athletes with opportunities to compete and gain experience at different venues.
He said the Government had decided to develop 27 indoor sports complexes across the country, including the Malé area, and that work was currently under way.
The Minister said that despite 33 years having passed, only one indoor sports centre had been established in the Malé area.
He said construction of an indoor sports complex in Hulhumale' Phase Two would begin soon. In addition, the Government has decided to develop indoor facilities in Hulhumalé Phase One and Vilimale'.
Expanding access to sports across different parts of the country and decentralising sporting activities is one of the Government’s objectives. The planned 27 indoor sports complexes are expected to facilitate the hosting of major competitions in different regions.
Following amendments to the Sports Act introduced by the Government, sports associations are also working to open offices in different regions while making changes to their basic regulations.