Gold Cup: Meemu atoll qualifying to be held in Mulah

The Meemu atoll qualifying for the Gold Cup is set to be held in the island of Mulah.

Gold Cup organizers Ninety Plus have signed an agreement with Mulah Council last Friday night in a ceremony held at the Ninety Plus offices.

Ninety Plus, previously known as Ninety Minutes, has now established a separate office to oversee the company's football events.

This year, 28 teams will be competing in the Gold Cup. Of this, 18 teams will be selected through the atoll qualifying stage.

Ninety Plus has now signed agreements to hold the qualifying matches in four atolls: Kaafu, Meemu, Thaa and Laamu.

Kaafu atoll qualifying will be held in Himmafushi, while Thaa atoll qualifying will be in Thimarafushi. The Laamu atoll qualifying is being organized by the Laamu Atoll Council, where the first atoll qualifiers will be held.

Of the 28 competing teams, slots have now been confirmed for 10 teams. These are the best eight teams from last year's Gold Cup tournament, together with Kulhudhuffushi City and Thinadhoo City. Kulhudhuffushi and Thinadhoo are participating on an invitation basis, as they are the only two cities who were not represented in last year's tournament.

The eight teams who received automatic qualification for this year's Gold Cup are champion B. Eydhafushi, runner up Addu, Male', R. Alifushi, Fuvahmulah, Guraidhoo, Naifaru and Maafushi.