With the Maldives’ multiple sporting competitions, clubs and teams, training facilities and development programs, the Sports Awards promises to be an event spectacular.
Source - Youth Ministry
Spearheaded by the minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Ahmed Mahloof, the Maldives Sports Awards 2022 is aimed at restructuring the historical awards ceremony as a national endeavour. Mahloof has stated that he intends this awards ceremony to be a consistent, yearly event, to properly give credit, support, and recognition to the athletes in various sports in the Maldives. To this end, many steps have been taken to elevate the prestige of the event.
Crossroads Maldives has been signed on as the official hospitality partner for this year’s event — as the event is expecting, and already welcoming, multiple international personalities as guest attendees. Crossroads Maldives would be taking responsibility for the visiting athletes’ accommodation and other related requirements throughout the course of the event.
As for the invited guests, there are many prestigious names with the legendary status, who have been piquing the interest of the Maldivian public. Received at the Velaanaa International Airport by Minister Mahloof, President of the Football Association of Maldives (FMA) Bassam Adheel Jaleel and President of the Volleyball Association Maldives (VMA) Mohamed Ranesh are well known legends in the world of sports.
One notable visitor is the legendary volleyball player from Brazil, Gilberto (Giba) Godoy who was widely recognised as one of the best volleyball players in the world. Not only is he honouring the nation with his presence, but he has hopes of teaching a few tricks to Maldivian volleyball players.
Wheelchair tennis Paralympic gold medalist and eighteen time Grand Slam doubles champion Gordon Reid, as well as the former Senegalese professional football player Khalilou Fadiga and the WPA World Nine-ball Champion Albin Ouschan have also joined the event over the past week. Prior to their arrival, the World renowned football referee Markus Merk and his wife have expressed their excitement upon arrival to the Maldives, noting that it is a pleasantly unique experience to be meeting sportsmen across varying declines in the country.
Another legendary invitee, the multi world record holder in competitive swimming, Sarah Sjöström, was overjoyed to be included with all these exceptional sports personalities for such a prestigious event, notably on her first visit to the Maldives. With hopes to inspire the young competitive swimmers in the Maldives, Sarah has expressed high hopes and excitement.
There are many more legends to come, including neighbourhood star, former Sri Lankan cricket royalty and captain who represented his country’s National team from 1989 to 2007; Sanath Jayasuriya, former Dutch footballer with several domestic and international titles; Edgar Davids, former Spanish football legend Michel Salgado, the current highest ranking wheelchair tennis player in Britain Lucy Shuker, table tennis legend Zoran Primorac, Indian Cricket star Suresh Raina, and the well known and celebrated sports journalist Fabrizio Romano. Topping the list for most Maldivians would be former Brazilian football player turned football ambassador Roberto Carlos, a name almost synonymous with football for a nation of superfans.
In addition to these sports legends, guests including the Sri Lankan Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa, the State Minister for Youth and Sports of Bangladesh; Zahid Ahsan Russel, as well as the Saudi Arabian Sports Vice Minister; Bader Alkadi — all of whom will be gracing the event.
The guests have shared their excitement for the Maldives Sports Awards and are on full drive to support the Maldivian sports community, expressing high hopes in ongoing work by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment as well as adding their own input to benefit our rising stars.
The Maldives Sports Awards 2022 will be held late evening on the 17 March at the Synthetic Running Track, to be followed up by a music show the next night, with talented bands and musicians that include local favourites as well as guest singers from India.
