President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Tuesday congratulated the Maldives national football team for winning the South Asian Super Cup 2025, following their decisive victory over Sri Lanka.
The championship was secured with a 4-1 aggregate result across two legs. Although the final match, held at Race Course Stadium in Colombo, ended in a 1-1 draw, the Maldives had already built a commanding lead after a 3-0 win in the opening leg.
The president shared his congratulations publicly via his official X account, commending the team’s achievement. Two days earlier, he had personally telephoned the squad to offer encouragement as they competed in the tournament hosted in Sri Lanka.
During the second leg, the Maldivian side maintained early pressure, culminating in a goal in the 67th minute. Naaiz ‘Dhaadhu’ Hassan scored after a rebound from a header that struck the crossbar, giving the team a crucial lead and securing their championship status.
The win comes as the government has reiterated its commitment to revitalising football nationwide. Plans are underway to develop new sports infrastructure in the capital, Malé, and across the country’s atolls, as part of a broader effort to strengthen athletic programmes and restore the sport to its “former glory”.