New football stadium to be built in Hulhumale'

Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu announced that the government has decided to build the new football stadium in Hulhumale'.

The previous government had planned to demolish the existing National Football Stadium in Galolhu ward, Male', and rebuild a modern stadium there through aid from India. This government has now decided to build the stadium in Hulhumale' instead.

The Galolhu National Stadium, with the capacity to hold 11,850 spectators, was opened in 1979. The area was used as an official pitch even as early as the 1960s, although at the time it was not equipped to seat spectators. While national level football matches, as well as many other events, have been held on the grounds since then, the stadium is now old and dilapidated.

During the previous administration, then Minister of Sports Ahmed Mahloof had shared plans for the building of a new, modern stadium at the same location through financial aid from India.

However, Minister Rafiu said in a press conference yesterday that the location is no longer ideal to house a national stadium, in consideration of security arrangements, parking and other factors. Due to this, the government has decided to build the stadium at a more fitting location in Hulhumale', he said.

Rafiu said that the new stadium may have an athletics track as well, and that it would be a multi sports indoor complex.

As part of this project, the government will also soon commence the establishment of planned synthetic tracks, volleyball and basketball courts and table tennis halls in various regions of the country, he said.

Although a new stadium will be built in Hulhumale', there are currently no plans to demolish the existing Galolhu National Stadium. Instead, the government plans to initiate renovations there after the new stadium is built.