The Racing Association of Maldives (RAM) has been granted membership of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
The Racing Association of Maldives (RAM) has been granted membership of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
RAM said in a statement that the association was granted FIA membership in a vote at the FIA Annual General Meeting held in Rwanda on December 13 last year.
The FIA, which was provisionally recognized by the International Olympic Committee in 2011, was granted full membership in 2013.
President of RAM Mohamed Shamih said becoming a member of the FIA has opened the door to many unprecedented opportunities to promote motor sports in the country.
Membership of the FIA will give RAM access to resources and experience as well as international recognition that was not previously available in Maldives, the association said.
This includes providing safeguards for local competitions in accordance with international standards, opportunities to participate in the FIA development programs as well as the chance to partake in international competitions.
The association will also have the opportunity to build the sport's infrastructure by developing dedicated areas for motor sports such as tracks and training centres while still reducing negative impacts on the environment in an energy efficient way.
At the same time, RAM said it would work with the relevant agencies in the country to promote road safety awareness programs and seek to facilitate training opportunities for motorsport athletes around the country.
Registered in 2018, RAM has held many successful tournaments in recent years with significant support from those in the field.
However, the association's 2024 RAAS Championship was stopped last December by police saying the competition was not allowed.
Despite the difficulties, clubs and athletes of RAM have been competing in international competitions, and even reached the semi-finals of the Drag Wars in Sri Lanka this year.
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