First Lady Fazna Ahmed has emphasised the importance of prioritising water sports in the Maldives, stating that Maldivians are regarded as Children of the Sea. She delivered the remarks at the opening of the International Bodyboarding Corporation (IBC) Bodyboarding World Tour, Visit Maldives Pro 2023.
At the opening ceremony of the tournament, First Lady Fazna delivered an optimistic speech, expressing her belief that the event will showcase the same level of competitiveness and camaraderie as in previous years. She praised local surfers and bodyboarders for their environmental awareness and welcoming attitude toward newcomers.
Additionally, First Lady Fazna called on officials and competitors to maintain cleanliness and reduce the use of single-use plastics during the competition as a precautionary measure to safeguard the environment. She also emphasised the importance of providing adequate space and resources in the Maldives to further develop water sports.
Also at the ceremony, World Tour Manager of IBC Glenn Cueves said they are delighted to be hosting the tournament for the second time and that the support given by the government of the Maldives is a huge boost to the sport.
The Visit Maldives Pro 2023 is held from August 3-12, at the Raalhugandu surf break in Male'. The event features athletes from 16 countries, including top bodyboarders from around the world and the Maldives. Visit Maldives Pro 2023 is the second edition of the Maldives Pro series in the IBC bodyboarding world and is the biggest bodyboarding event in the Asian continent.
Maldivian athletes received free passes as the Maldives is hosting Visit Maldives Pro 2023. The event is being hosted with the assistance of the government of the Maldives. The first edition of the Maldives Pro series in the IBC bodyboarding world tour received international acclaim and was rated as the best event in the 2022 World Tour.