Elections loom, hope for Youth SAFF Championship excitement

Maldives' win at the Men's Division of the first South Asian futsal tournament saw January end with a huge relief for football.

The last two years have been rough on football. There are two international competitions that are to be held in Maldives, with the Under-20 SAFF Championship to be held in March.

Maldives has begun preparing for the championship. More than 150 youth went to the Galolhu Stadium for the squad trials. 

The trial was headed by experienced youth football coach Ahmed Shakir (Shakittey) and Maziya, national senior football team Assistant Coach Ahmed Shuzair, with them believing that "good talent" can be weeded out during the trial.

While the first South Asian tournament is to be held in Maldives, the Local Council Election is also set to be held on 3rd April. The SAFF Championship will proceed during the final stages of the campaign. The championship will begin on 23rd March, with the final match to be held on 4th April. The last 15 or so years have shown that Maldivians would not have the time for anything else during a politically heightened period.

During such a political period, some people have raised the question as to whether excitement may build regarding the SAFF Championship. Odi Sports Academy Head Coach Fareed Mohamed believes that the championship held in Maldives would generate more excitement compared to youth competitions from other countries in the region.

Fareed stated he has hope that the competition will be both successful and exciting.

He also said that the championship to be held in Maldives will be a lot more successful and exciting compared to other SAFF youth competitions held in other countries in the region.

"Most of the players who will play for Maldives would have already been trained by academies. I am sure that excitement can be brought about if their parents will be highly involved, along with the involvement of an academy," said Fareed.

"Family evenings can be held with cooperation from the academies. Solid work can be done to put together activities for children, with media organizations and the Football Association (FA) coming together to promote the championship and make it a success."

Fareed stated that the parents of the Under-20 players had sacrificed a lot for their children's progress. He said that due to this, it is important that the parental attendance of said players is ensured for the championship.

FAM's General Secretary Ahmed Zareer has told Mihaaru News previously that even if the championship coincides with the election, he has confidence that the SAFF Under-20 Championship will be a success.

The next international tournament will be the Diamond Jubilee of international football to be held in early June. The tournament will have four national teams including Maldives, with Zareer having said that Sri Lanka has given their assurance that they will be competing in the tournament.

He said that invitations have also been sent to Bangladesh and Nepal. The tournament will be held from 1st June to 10th June.

There are two upcoming domestic youth football tournaments. The Under-14 Academy Championship will begin next week, with the Under-19 Diamond Jubilee tournament to be held this month.