Work has begun on the sports complex being developed in Alifu Alifu Ukulhas, with the project launched during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu's visit to the island.
To mark the commencement of work on the Ukulhas Sports Complex, the foundation stone was laid by Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness Abdulla Rafiu, Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, and Ukulhas Council President Ali Waheed.
In addition to President Dr Muizzu, Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla and Cabinet ministers attended the ceremony.
Maldives Airports Company Limited was entrusted with developing the sports complex in Ukulhas during President Dr Muizzu’s visit to the island in August last year.
The complex is among the sports facilities planned by the Government to support the development of sports, establish sports infrastructure and build a healthy and physically active society. It is being developed to accommodate a range of different sports.
The Ukulhas Sports Complex will include an indoor gym, a dedicated exercise room for women, facilities for board games, a hall where several sports can be played, and a separate room for holding meetings.
Developing indoor sports complexes across different regions of the Maldives is an important Government objective.
The Government is working to expand sports throughout the country and establish international-standard facilities in the atolls. These efforts are also intended to create opportunities for elite athletes of national calibre to emerge from the atolls.
In addition to establishing sports complexes, the Government said it is giving special priority to developing handball, football and other sports facilities across the islands.
Outdoor volleyball court opens in Ukulhas
A new outdoor volleyball court developed by the Government has officially opened in Alifu Alifu Ukulhas.
The court was developed under a project that commenced on 16 July. The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness awarded the project to Proxy Group Private Limited.
The project was completed at a cost of USD 88,143.
The volleyball court has been developed with modern facilities, including a full lighting system that allows matches to be played at night.
Following the official opening, a friendly volleyball match was held at the court.
The Government said work is also progressing to develop volleyball courts on 10 other islands under its initiative to expand volleyball facilities across the atolls.