The national handball tournament, facing multiple postponements due to adverse weather conditions, has finally reached its conclusion.
In a short span, handball has gained popularity throughout the country, emerging as one of the most competitive team sports.
Despite the Handball Association's efforts in organizing various tournaments, the absence of indoor facilities poses a challenge, leading to numerous match postponements caused by rain and waterlogging on the courts.
The tournament ground, which received international development in 2021 with the installation of a carpeted surface, fell short of transforming into an indoor stadium as initially discussed.
Originally scheduled to conclude in December, the national tournament faced delays due to persistent rain, finally wrapping up on Sunday night. The competition featured women's and men's first division and second division tournaments.
In the men's first division, Velidhoo United won, securing a 37-26 win against Zefrol in the final. The top seven players in the division included Mohamed Yashmu Ahmed of Velidhoo United, along with Vishan Abdul Majeed, Mohamed Affan Athif and Raaid Rasheed, as well as Ismail Farhan, Ahmed Najeeb, and Mohamed Firnash Abdulla of Zefrol.
The women's first division final saw Oryx defending their title with a 20-18 win against RedHawks. The top seven players in the tournament included Fathimath Aroosha, Fathimath Juzan Zareer, Zuleikha Ibrahim, Fathimath Shifa, Rafaha Ibrahim, from Oryx, together with Firshana Nasir, and Fathimath Juna of Redhawks.
The second division finals, held on Sunday, crowned Tent Sports Club as the champions in the men's category with a 30-15 victory over Fionti Sports Club. The top seven male players featured Tent's Ismail Shuau Abdulla, Abdulla Zimaam, Ibrahim Haisham Abdulla, Ahmed Abdul Sattar of Fionti, Abdullah Azzam of Flying Eagles Sports, and Firshan Mohamed of Bonthi Sports Club.
In the women's second division, Thulhaadhoo Young Eagles secured the title by defeating Super Generation Club 32-14 in the final. The top seven female players included Shizna Rashid, Zuha Hussain, Aminath Fazla, Kausar Adam Saeed, Mariyam Lene Ahmed, Aminath Shudha of Super Generation, and Fathimath Niusha of Youth Sports Club.
Yashmu of Velidhoo United, the first division champion, received the title of the most promising male player of the national tournament. Fathimath Leem Rishad, who joined second division Hawkets, was recognized as the most promising female player.
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