FAM announces Football Awards after 7 year hiatus, adds futsal category

Football Association of Maldives (FAM) has announced the return of the FAM Awards after a seven-year hiatus, with new categories including futsal.

The last time the awards were presented was in 2018, and no such recognition has been given since then.

FAM President Ahmed Thoriq (Tom) said the relaunch coincides with the start of the new football season tonight. He described the awards as part of the association’s efforts to revive the spirit of Maldivian football, boost competitiveness, and honour individuals who have contributed to the sport.

“With the aim of further reviving the spirit of the game, increasing competitiveness, and recognizing those who serve the sport, Football Association announces the FAM Awards for the new season starting today,” Thoriq wrote on social media.

For the first time, FAM will present an award for the Best Male Football Player in Maldives, alongside other categories. The awards also expand to include futsal, reflecting the growing popularity of the sport.

 FAM has presented the Best Goal Award in memory of the late Abdullah Rasheed (Jooley), who scored the Maldives’ first national team goal.

The Best Male Football Player Award has, in recent years, been presented by the Sports Ministry as part of the Maldives Sports Awards, first launched in 2022. Eagles forward Ahmed Rizwan was the most recent recipient, while national goalkeeper Aminath Leeza (Lizzie) won the Best Female Player Award. However, the best female player award has not been given in the past two years.