Why are we treated differently?

Before going on to the negatives, Minivan Championship sides for sure appreciates their chance to perform in the top flight of Maldives Football. Through this, The Football Association has been successful in bringing a bunch of new players preparing themselves for National Team Selection. Notably Ibrahim Ishan (Sattu) and others. National player Ibrahim Mahudhee (Feydhoo Ibbe) was also scouted from the Minivan Championships. Though the new format of allowing Atoll teams to play in the top flight is still in an experimental stage, There are some issues that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

This week we were told that the allowance that the top flight coaches get are only for Male' clubs! Yes, for an A-Licence holder for for a top flight club, Youth Ministry has allocated a monthly salary of MVR 15,000. The coaches are usually paid a much higher salary, but the fifteen thousand added by the Youth Ministry clears a part of the coach's salary for Male' Clubs. We are told it's only for clubs qualifying from Male' League. With limited budget's by all clubs, If the Ministry cover's fifteen thousand for the coach, It is a huge advantage they get. Maybe for some clubs it is a small amount but for most Atoll teams it will clear a huge burden from their expenses.

We too need the services of good coaches, if we are to compete. No team will come this far just to participate. If that fifteen thousand is allocated to the coach, fifteen thousand will per month will be saved by the club management that will most likely be added to the clubs player salaries. we could sign one or two very good players for that kind of money. 

Is Male' league bigger than the Premier League? If we are to perform in the same league why aren't we given the same facilities? All the Minivan Championship clubs are given MVR 1.5 million upon qualification to the Premier League. On the road to the Premier League they are on their own, except for ferry charges. Male' League teams are given up to MVR 2 million to prepare for Male' League and upon qualification they are given a further MVR 1 million. Second Division Clubs are given upto MVR 500,000. That will be more than enough for a Minivan Championship side to prepare for their campaign to the Premier League. 

All Male' League teams are given a small room in grounds for the clubs to keep their equipment, where the players change and keep their personal belongings. Amazingly we were denied that too. There really is no space, I understand, but for a club training in Male' imagine us carrying our equipment on motor bikes to the practice grounds from the Youth Ministry Accommodation block. Most Male' League clubs have been very helpful in assisting us in keeping some equipment in their rooms. Some clubs even share equipment with us, hats off for them for their generosity. It is not always nice to ask our opponents for this kind of assistance though. All clubs would want the same assistance from the Association.

If these matter's are addressed I am sure we will have a more competitive Premier League in the future. We need to have a system of equality in the Premier League and of course some stability. Otherwise performing on the same platform is just unfair.

-Murthala (Murey), Assistant Coach at Foakaidhoo FC-

(from a coffee table)

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