Government to bear cost of postponing volley season

The government has agreed to bear all additional expenses incurred due to the postponement of the men’s division volleyball season, which was initially scheduled to begin this week but has now been delayed to later this month.

The season, comprising four major tournaments; the VAM Cup, National League, National Tournament, and Cava Champions League, had to be rescheduled as the indoor hall at the Social Centre, the only facility in the country capable of hosting international-level volleyball events, was allocated for a government function.

This multipurpose hall is shared among five sports including volleyball, basketball, netball, table tennis, and bodybuilding. It is also occasionally leased to both government and private parties for non-sports events.

The postponement has caused financial strain on volleyball clubs, many of which had already made significant preparations and incurred expenses.

Mohamed Sajid (Kaattey), Vice President of the Volleyball Association of Maldives (VAM) and a former national coach, expressed concern over the financial burden on clubs and warned that some may end up in debt.

In a circular, VAM said that it had communicated the issue to the Sports Ministry. A ministry official told Mihaaru News that the matter was discussed in detail with VAM and that a solution was reached to cover all additional costs resulting from the postponement.

"The postponement of the tournament was discussed with VAM officials. The best possible solution has been discussed. Everything has been shared in detail. VAM has been informed that all additional costs will be covered," the ministry official stated.

VAM said that Sports Minister Abdulla Rafiu personally intervened to resolve the issue. As part of the agreement, the ministry has arranged to provide the indoor hall to VAM on June 22 and 23 for volleyball activities.

The revised schedule now sets the opening of the volleyball season on June 24, with the final tournament, the Cava Champions League, set to conclude on July 23.