In GDh. Thinadhoo, the STO Makita Junior Athletics Championship has started.
At the tournament’s opening ceremony, held at the Thinadhoo Stadium, the torch for the competition was lit by Saudh Ali, the president of the Thinadhoo Council, and Nahil Nizar, a national long jump record holder who was born in Thinadhoo.
Thinadhoo is an island with a great athletic heritage, and even 25 years ago, players born in Thinadhoo represented the Maldives in the National Football team, according to Parliament member Abdulla Saneef, who spoke at the opening ceremony.
He added that although athletic talent from Thinadhoo has persisted despite the island’s declining interest in football.
Additionally, he said that tennis courts might be developed in Thinadhoo in the future, despite intentions to build sports facilities to encourage young development in sports.
Speaking at the same event, Thinadhoo Council Secretary General Mohamed Shareef said that the organisation is excellent and serves as an example for other local councils.
He added that the council had taken the initiative and worked very hard to ensure the tournament’s success, and that both the government and the people of Thinadhoo had offered their full support.
The junior athletics competition is returning to Thinadhoo for the first time since 2014. 1057 athletes from 36 schools will compete in four age divisions.
Even though the STO Makita Junior Championship’s opening ceremony took place on Saturday night, the competition actually began on Sunday morning. The competition will continue through this month’s 27th.
– By Yanaal Naseem