Maldives’ national futsal team received a warm reception on their return to the capital Male’ city after its flawless SAFF Futsal Championship triumph in the tournament’s inaugural iteration.
The SAFF Futsal Championship was held for the first time in Bangkok, Thailand organised by the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF).
The futsal team was received at the VIP terminal of the Velana International Airport (VIA) by the Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu and the President of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), Ahmed Thoriq. The families of the futsal players, as well as many supporters, were also in attendance.
The team then took a victory tour along the Ameenee Magu and Majeedhee Magu of the capital city, before stopping at the artificial beach. Many supporters gathered on the streets as the team paraded to its stop, where a special ceremony was to be held in their honour.
With hundreds of citizens gathered, the ceremony involved celebratory activities including fireworks, Maldivian cultural performance and the opportunity to take photos with the futsal team and the trophy.