President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced plans to introduce a loan scheme for players who have played for a national sports team for atleast five years.
In the presidential address delivered at the parliament today, President Solih said the administration plans to help players who have represented the nation in sports to begin another line of work after retiring from sports. As such, the president announced the administration will introduce a loan scheme for players who have played for a national team for atleast five years.
Since President Solih assumed office, a monthly allowance of USD 323 is provided to all national team players across all sports. The president also announced plans to introduce an insurance scheme for national team players this year, to help seek treatment for injuries. He also announced plans to provide scholarship opportunities for players training abroad, as part of the efforts to build international standard players.
Last year was a very successful year in Maldivian sports, as the country won 46 medals, including 13 gold medals, across different multi-sports events. The gold medal won by sprinter Hassan Saaid in the 2019 South Asian Games was the first gold medal won by Maldives in the history of the event.
Meanwhile, the administration has begun efforts to prepare for the Indian Ocean Island Games 2023 which will be hosted by Maldives. The president announced the development of infrastructure for the event is already underway.