Sofwan Ahmed, the head coach of the national women's volleyball team, who was accused of blackmailing and threatening a female player to engage in an illicit sexual relationship, has been suspended for life.
Following the allegations against him, an ad-hoc commission was formed last October to investigate his case. Based on the report prepared by the commission, he was initially facing a five-year suspension. That disciplinary action was taken against him in October by a decision of the Executive Committee.
In VAM’s (Volleyball Association of Maldives) extraordinary congress held last night, the ad-hoc commission's report was accepted. In October, VAM had decided to take the matter of Sofwan’s position as a VAM ExCo member to a congress to make a final decision.
Based on that report, the VAM Congress has taken the following measures against Sofwan:
- Removal from the position of VAM ExCo member.
- Barring him from being appointed to any elected or appointed position within the association for the next five years.
- Suspending him for life from participating in any volleyball activity in any capacity.
"The decision to take such harsh measures against Sofwan was made due to many issues identified from his side, and because it is deemed highly important to ensure the safety and security of players," VAM said in a media statement.
Sofwan also holds several clubs that have voting rights in VAM elections. Additionally, he worked as a coach for those clubs and several others.
The VAM Congress has also passed measures that must be implemented by the association's member clubs, prohibiting him from remaining in any club as well.
Measures to be implemented by clubs against Sofwan:
- If Sofwan is included in the governing committee of a VAM member club, the clubs have been instructed to remove him from that position within 60 days (the countdown for this period starts from March 15, 2026).
- Clubs must submit the official document issued by the Commissioner of Sports, stating that Sofwan has been removed from the club's position, to VAM within the given duration.
- If the document confirming Sofwan’s removal is not submitted within the specified period, that club will be removed from the VAM registry.
- It was decided that a club removed in this manner will only be eligible for association membership again after a period of two calendar years having passed.
VAM stated that even after he was faced with a five-year suspension six months ago, he had been acting in violation of those measures.
"These are strong measures taken to stop Safwan, as he continues to go to various places to coach and work in connection with school and college teams, even with the measures currently in place," VAM said.
Along with the allegations against Sofwan, the police are also investigating his case.
