Athletics coach Abdulla appointed Deputy Minister of Sports

Veteran athletics coach Abdulla Ibrahim (Abulho) has been appointed Deputy Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation.

President’s Office sent him a letter of credence issued on Tuesday, although Abdulla has not yet formally assumed duties.

Maldives Olympic Committee Vice President and Athletics Association General Secretary Ahmed Munthaqim was among those who congratulated him.

Originally from Laamu Kurendhoo, Abdulla is best known as head coach of the national middle distance team, where his training has underpinned several record breaking performances. He was part of the coaching team behind Maldives’ bronze medal in the sprint relay at the 2010 SAFF Games, and Hassan Saeed’s historic 100m gold at the 2015 Indian Ocean Island Games.

Abdulla currently serves as chief executive and head coach of the Track and Field Association, which dominated this year’s national athletics championships in both men’s and women’s events. A former sprinter himself, he represented Maldives in the 400m at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Malaysia.

He is the 12th deputy minister appointed at the ministry. Other deputies include former first place swimmer Aminath Sajan, football coach Mohamed Asim, former FAM media officer Ibrahim Faaid (Dodi), former runner Hussain Rauhath Gudhurathulla and table tennis player Mohamed Munthif Ahmed.

The ministry is headed by Sports Minister Abdulla Rafiu, a former national football team medical officer.