President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has started that as of now, he has made 116 visits to Aarah, the Presidential Island, since he assumed office.

With concerns rising amongst media about the Defence Ministry's refusal to disclose details of President Muizzu's visits to Aarah, a reported posed the question directly to the President during yesterday's 14 hour press conference.

The President responded that as of now, he has made 116 visits to Aarah, with 85 of those visits for the purpose of playing football alone. A round trip to Aarah takes approximately three hours.

The President said that the has been accompanied by family on 31 visits to Aarah. Family has joined at times during his Friday visits to Aarah to play football, he said.

'So, not including my visits to play football, I have gone there with family on 31 visits within the past 532 days. So what is being said isn't entirely right," he said.

The President said that the trips, where he is accompanied by two additional security speed boats, has cost MVR 844,635 in fuel charges.

President Muizzu said that his trips to Aarah are mainly to play futsal, as he aims to remain healthy.