Changes have been brought to the design of the National Surfing Stadium to be built at the Raalhugan'du area in Male'. 

At a press conference held at the President's Office yesterday, Sports Minister Abdulla Rafiu said that previously, they had planned to construct the stadium with a pre-fabricated metal structure. However, this has been since reconsidered, with the structure now to be built in concrete to avoid salt damage. 

Rafiu said that this change has been brought after consulting with the Surfing Association and Body Boarding Association. 

"Maintenance cost of the place will be very high. Sea spray will be very high there, so technical experts also later suggested that a concrete structure be built instead of metal or something like that," Rafiu said. 

Along with this change, the stadium will also be bigger by 50 feet, the minister revealed.

Although the project has faced delays due to the changes in plans, the project will commence within the month, Rafiu announced. 

"It has been handed over to the contractor now. There also haven't been any changes to the timeline in which it must be completed," he said. 

The Surfing Stadium project was contracted to China's Rotime Engineering and Technology Corporation Ltd in April, 2024. 

The company previously developed the Hulhumale' Swimming Complex, along with its swimming pool. It is also responsible for the Tennis Complex currently being developed in Hulhumale'. 

The Bridge View Platform in Henveiru was also dismantled late last year to pave way for the Surfing Stadium.