The very first official football tournament to be held in Hulhumale' has kicked off yesterday.
The Football Association of Maldives' Inter School Football Tournament, its current name being the Maldives Juniors Championship's U17 category started yesterday at the football stadium located at the Hulhumale' Synthetic Track.
This is the first time an official football tournament is being held in Hulhumale' in the 22 years people have been living there.
The Hulhumale' project was started in 1997 in order to reduce congestion in Male', with people beginning to inhabit the man-made island on 12th May 2004. 22nd April 2026 is a historic day for the two-phase Hulhumale' in terms of sports.
25 teams are participating in the tournament and will be split into six groups. Seven of the 25 teams are from outside the Male' region. They are K. Gulhi School, K. Maafushi School, V. Keyodhoo School, ADh. Atoll Education Center, K. Himmafushi School, K. Guraidhoo School and Kaafu Atoll Madharusa.
The first match of the tournament was held yesterday evening between K. Gulhi School and Ahmadhiyya International School, with K. Gulhi School winning with a 2-1 score. This was the first official football match that has ever been played on Hulhumale' soil.
The final match of the tournament will take place on 17th May, with all matches being played at the stadium at the Hulhumale' Synthetic Track.
As that stadium is being used for the interschool football tournament, some members in the athletics communities have expressed concern due to it being an obstacle to athletics training sessions.
Official football matches have begun taking place at Hulhumale' in a time the government are holding discussions regarding the work to change the national stadium from the Galolhu Stadium to Hulhumale'.
During a press conference that was held last month, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness stated that they are in talks with Saudi Arabia and China to get financial aid in building a stadium at Hulhumale'.
Once the discussions conclude, the minister said that they will finish surveying the stadium within this year. The minister also said he has high hopes the practical work will begin next year.
