Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Ahmed Mahloof and President of Football Association of Maldives, Bassam Adheel Jaleel laid the foundation stone for the Vilimale Football Training facility today.

In the 'Ground Breaking' ceremony, foundation stone was laid for a new artificial turf ground in Vilimale grounds. The artificial grass pitch is a part of the training facility which includes eight two-bedroom apartments, a facility building for official matches. Under the AFC President's Infrastructure Initiative Project, the project is scheduled to be completed in four months.

The ceremony was inaugurated by Minister Ahmed Mahloof. In the joint FAM-Youth Ministry project's ground breaking ceremony, Minister Mahloof said football has the biggest following in Maldives among all sports, the minister also said that Vilimale produced many great players in the past and that he hoped this project will pave the way for Vilimale players and clubs. Upto fifty new football grounds will be built within the atolls according to the Youth Minister.

"When I was a player, we used to train on this pitch, our coach, Kiss(Laszlo Kiss) used to live here and he used to feed us noodles after training" Minister Mahloof said. Mahloof ended his speech by saying that the Football Association has his full backing.

FA President Bassam Adheel Jalil thanked the government for the support to the football in general, President Bassam also praised the under-19 national team and women's national teams that won bronze medals in SAFF regional competitions. Bassam thanked everyone involved in the football family. 

FAM's General Secretary Hussain Jawaz ended the ceremony by thanking everyone in the football family, especially the Football Association staff, technical staff and administrative staff. "What we don't see are the people behind the success sometimes, I would like to thank all the staff of the FAM, technical and administrative. Jawaz ended his speech by thanking Ahmed Mahloof for the commitment he has given to football.

The Football Association and the Youth Ministry has been very active lately with training facilities being built in Maafannu Stadium and a Football School in Hulhumale. The Hulhumale Football School is designed to host a hundred young footballers who will train and also continue their studies in the premises. 

Photo: Football Association of Maldives