President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed have attended a special ceremony at the Republic Square on Tuesday to officially welcome the Maldivian athletes who achieved a historic victory at the Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG) 2023. This victory is a testament to the administration's commitment to developing and promoting sports, improving sports infrastructure, and providing more opportunities for Maldivian athletes to excel in local and international arenas.
The ceremony was held to welcome the Maldivian delegation and officially celebrate their achievements. The event was attended by Ahmed Mahloof, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, other cabinet ministers, officials from sports institutions in the Maldives, Members of Parliament, and the general public. The ceremony celebrated the Maldivian athletes' hard work, dedication, and success on the international stage.
At the IOIG 2023, the Maldivian delegation achieved remarkable success, winning 28 medals, including five golds, nine silvers, and 14 bronzes. This represents a significant improvement over their performance at the IOIG 2019, where they won 15 medals.
The administration has also been promoting sportsmanship among people with disabilities, providing numerous opportunities for them to develop and showcase their skills in sports. This effort paid off at the IOIG 2023, where two people with disabilities won bronze medals in the 100-metre run.