Vice President Faisal Naseem has stated football has always been a sport that increases national solidarity in the Maldives. He made the statement during his meeting with the Maldives National Football Team at Hotel Jen.
He met with the players to congratulate them on their efforts in the Ooredoo SAFF Championship 2021 and to wish them luck before they depart for the Four Nations Football Tournament to be held in Sri Lanka.
During the meeting, Vice President Naseem said the members of the Maldives National Football Team play an important role in bringing solidarity to the country. The vice president also praised the players for their work ethic and efforts at the SAFF Championship and said Maldivians will continue to support the players who show great courage and perseverance.
The vice president said the government will also work to develop and expand the sports sector in the country in order to broaden the public interest in various sports, especially football.
The Maldives National Football Team won two matches and lost two matches in the SAFF Championship, and lost the chance to reach the final after losing to India in the last match in the group stage. The team is scheduled to compete in the Four Nations Football Tournament, alternatively called the Mahinda Rajapaksa Cup, which will be held from November 7-18.