Maldives may be a small country, but our global achievements are a not so small now. Getting 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in GCE A ‘Level and O ’Level is something we didn’t believe can happen. But our younger generations are easily getting the top places in various subjects. Yet there’s is one goal which we would like to achieve from these talented children of sports, education and social top achievers. All the football fans of Maldives would want to see this small nation to get qualified for the FIFA World Cup someday. Our FA Maldives have made good arrangements to achieve this goal within a near future. For future football generation FA Maldives biggest goal was their youth development program by taking part time coaches. After current president of FA Maldives Mr. Bassam Adheel Jaleel came he have made big changes in youth development programs. He has made an agreement with all the first tier football clubs to have their own youth academy to conduct development programs just like what more advanced footballing countries does. They believe this is a good step towards improving our future football generations.

They have taken another big step for the youth development by hosting an under 12-13 football league. Most of the academies from Male’ City and Hulhumale have participated in the league. Before this league only competition this age group players can play is the Inter-school tournament which only last 1 or 2 weeks’ maximum and can only play not more than 5 matches. This is not even close enough to show their talent through the year. Only age they can play a competitive match are when they are 17-18 years old in FA youth championship or club level after finishing secondary education. And talents are hidden due to lack of matches’ experiences.

By starting the program to end these difficulties FA Maldives stated:

The Football Association of Maldives believes that the future starts with Grassroots & Youth football. Under newly launched project called “Towards Future”, FAM President decided to develop a young generation & to make development as our priority. The Football Association of Maldives main objective of this U13 Youth League is to create a competitive environment for players & to increase registered players and to develop player base for future International age group competitions.

Total of 8 academies participated in the league. Those academies are:

1- MAZIYA SPORTS & RECREATION ACADEMY

2- M.S HELPING HAND SPORTS ACADEMY

3- AM SPORTS ASSOCIATION (AMSA)

4- EARLY TOUCH FOOTBALL ACADEMY (ETFA)

5- HULHUMALE’ SPORTS SCHOOL

6- MALDIVES SOCCER MATES ACADEMY (MS)

7- EAGLES FOOTBALL ACADEMY (EFA)

8- BG SPORTS Club Academy

From 7 October to 13 October total of 56 matches will be played with more than 240 players in FA Maldives mini Turf stadium. And this is the first tournament in Maldives to play like this. Spread to long period of time. All the club academies believe this is a good opportunity for the future if this continues each year.

Some club academies shared their view about this league.  

ETFA coach, Hassan Zahir said “if this league is continued each year, this will make an enormous difference in our youth development program. And this a good opportunity to make these players ready for the FA Maldives under 19 youth championship”

Also Coach Hassan mentioned some issues about few players who lost the chance to play due to the league’s age category rule. “Some of the players who are studying abroad never had any chance to play or participate. I hope FA Maldives will correct these issues if this is continued in this league or in any other competition. I support and thank FA Maldives for this league”

Hulhumale’ sports school academy coach stated that because of this league the Club’s, Schools and the players can gain a lot. “this league will help us with the lack of goal keepers, they’ll be ready for leagues from this age, lots of match experiences and they’ll be ready for inter school tournament. Plus if they are playing a long period league they will have a good fitness and healthier and many more.”Hulhumale Sports School coach Nimal said.

Hulhumale sports school coach praised and thanked FA president Mr. Bassam Adheel Jaleel for this massive change in youth development and hope this will turn out to be a successful league and get see lots of young talented players.

It is a very positive tournament. First of all, the players and the academies are very happy. Because most of the academies have being running for almost more than 3 years now and there is no effective way to evaluate the player’s progression. The only hope was a fiesta which is also for children of much younger age group. But as every academy wants to check the progression of their kids in a competitive ground, this league serves the objective at its best.

Secondly, this league helps the player’s development and the academies as well. When the academies identify what is the areas that their team (players) in lacking while playing, academies get to improve those players and teams in those aspects. Physically, mentally, technically or physiologically also. So this league serves the purpose positively in every way.

Another thing is that player’s parents get to enjoy the games with their kids. Parents have been sending their kids to academy training more than three times a week in addition to their busy school routines. So this league fulfils the need of the parents to watch their kids. And I also would like to highlight the thoughtfully taken decision by FAM to hold the matches during the weekends as it will.be a huge support for these kids and their parents while the league does not clash with their school and other activities’ timings.

“If we look at in every angle, we only see positive things about this league. I am very much thankful to FAM for this initiative”, Eagles coach Ibrahim Saeed (Kaka) said.

FA Maldives, club academies, schools, parents and players have a goal to reach and achieve. That goal is making a spark in this small Maldives name on international football, and play in FIFA World Cup someday. There’s no reason this why my not happen. If Iceland, a country as small as Maldives is playing in FIFA World Cup why can’t we. I wish all the best and congratulate FA Maldives for hosting a such a league for our future generation. And hope with these opportunities one day these players bring a good name to Maldives. Supporting in these kind of actions by FA Maldives is a hope for our future and working together Inn Sha Allah we will achieve more and more.

Photo: ImagesMV