Table tennis athlete Fathimath Dheema Ali is the athlete to have won the most awards during the short history of the Maldives Sports Awards. With her most recent win, Dheema has won 13 awards in the last four years.
The Maldives Sports Awards was introduced in 2022 during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration, with Dheema having won the award for the best athlete except for one time. The 18 year old athlete won the Best Sportswoman of 2024 during the Maldives Sports Awards that was held on Sunday night.
Dheema won across four award categories during the award ceremony. This is the first time a singular athlete has won that many awards at one ceremony.
The Maldives Sports Awards was not held in 2024, with the ceremony being held this year to acknowledge the performance of athletes and officials during various competitions in 2024. That year was the most historic year for Maldivian sports.
Dheema's Sports Awards achievements:
- The 2021 Awards held in 2022: Sportswoman of the Year, Third Place / Most Promising Young Athlete of the Year Award / Best Sportswoman: Table Tennis
- The 2022 Awards held in 2023: Sportswoman of the Year / Most Promising Young Athlete of the Year Award / Best Sportswoman: Table Tennis
- The 2023 Awards held in 2024: Sportswoman of the Year / Most Promising Young Athlete of the Year Award / Best Sportswoman: Table Tennis
- The 2024 Awards held in 2026: Sportswoman of the Year / Sports Recognition Award / Most Promising Young Athlete of the Year Award / Best Sportswoman: Table Tennis
Dheema qualified for the Olympics held in Paris, France in 2024. She was Champion of the Olympics qualifying stage and became the only Maldivian athlete to receive the opportunity of playing in the Olympics. Dheema received the Recognition Award due to this achievement.
While Dheema could not attend the award ceremony due to her starting her studies in Malaysia this month, it was a special occasion for her and her family.
"This is the most special occasion for Dheema regarding the Sports Awards. She tried to attend the award ceremony, but since her passport was sent to Malaysian immigration for student visa purposes, she was unable to receive the passport on time to come to the ceremony," said Dheema's mother Fathimath Waheeda.
Waheeda highlighted that many people were included in Dheema's efforts in qualifying for the Olympics.
"I would like to mention the Sports Minister at the time, Mahloof for his role. He closely watched Dheema's progress even after the current Sports Minister Abdulla Rifau took office. He facilitated opportunities for her progress," said Waheeda while expressing gratitude.
Dheema is studying Business Studies in Malaysia. Waheeda said that arrangements were made for Dheema to continue her table tennis training along with her studies.
