Marzooq has urged the people to stop disputes regarding Dheema being titled the first Maldivian athlete to qualify for the Olympics and requested to let the athletes celebrate their success during this moment.
Former Secretary General of Maldives Olympic Committee, Ahmed Marzooq (Marey), has urged to put an end to disputes during this time of celebrating athletes' victories.
With Maldives' number one table tennis player, Fathimath Dheema Ali qualifying for the Olympics, debates have ensued with claims that Dheema is not the first athlete in the country to qualify for the Olympics.
There is some debate regarding the first Maldivian athlete to advance to the Olympics, with some claiming it to be badminton player Mohamed Ajfan Rasheed. However, Ajfan was granted a slot for the 2012 Olympics through a Tripartite invitation. Although he did not secure a spot through the Badminton Qualifiers, the Olympics Tripartite Committee offered him a place within the Tripartite quota based on his scores in the qualifiers.
Opposing views contend that Mohamed Ajfan Rasheed and Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq, who competed in the 2020 Olympics (moved to 2021 due to Covid-19), earned their slots through a Tripartite invitation based on their high scores, which they argue also counts as qualifying for the Olympics.
However, Dheema is the first Maldivian athlete to secure a place in the Olympics after winning the Olympic qualifiers.
Dheema secured the single slot offered to the six South Asian countries, excluding India, by winning the South Asian Olympic qualifiers held in Nepal. Champions from both the male and female categories advanced to the Olympics.
Marzooq, who has made significant contributions to the football industry of Maldives, has called for refraining from discourse during such a moment of celebration.
"I urge you all to allow the athletes celebrate this moment without going into huge debates on the success achieved by athletes," wrote Marzooq on his social media post.
"Allow them that chance. Make them the talk of the town"
Marzooq expressed that he was not at all surprised with the remarkable achievement by Dheema, further highlighting that the country should embrace visions ahead of the South Asian (SA) Games and Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG).
"Heartfelt congratulations [to Dheema]. Vision, goals [set] beyond this region. All the way to the Olympics!" wrote Marzooq.
"Not at all surprised. Let's talk more and more about winning medals at the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and qualifying for the Olympics. Adopt broader perspectives beyond just the IOIG and SA Games."
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