Athletics Tournament Criticized For Being Held During Exam Days

The Athletics Association has come under scrutiny for hosting the ongoing Athletics Association Championships during the school test period.

Currently, some schools are in the midst of administering mock exams for students in grades 10 and 12.

Expressing concern, a former sprinter raised questions about the tournament's objectives, noting that a considerable number of young athletes are being left out.

He emphasized that the tournament's primary goal should be to provide opportunities for young athletes, allowing them to showcase their talents and receive recognition for their achievements.

"But it appears that the association's objective is primarily to send visuals to the tournament sponsors. As in yes, some individuals have sponsored it, so we are obligated to conduct it," remarked the former sprinter, who had previously participated in the Olympics and Asian Games.

"With school exams concluding [end of the week], the most talented young athletes are concentrating on their tests. By organizing the competition in a way that hinders their participation, we are not serving the purpose of benefiting the kids who could truly excel through this event."

A team official expressed, "During the managers' meeting, some parents raised concerns about the tournament coinciding with exam days.” He accused the association of not adequately addressing this issue.

Ahmed Munthagim, the General Secretary of Athletics Association, noted that some parents expressed apprehensions regarding the Ministry of Education's directive, urging restraint on activities that could disrupt students' study schedules during the transitional period.

"I conveyed that we are adhering to the guidelines of the inter-school competition education... Inter-school tournaments in atolls and inter-school tournaments in Malé City are also being held in accordance with the guidelines... However, it's challenging to adhere to that guideline in the Association Cup. The reason is that this tournament caters to a significant number of senior athletes," he explained.

A team official, who voiced concerns, criticized the tournament arrangements, highlighting the absence of technical officials for the event.