The Maldives Surfing Association (MSA) is all set to kick off this year's National Junior Surfing Championship on Wednesday, October 18.
The event is sponsored by Sea Sports, managed by Seagull Group Private Limited, who joined as the title sponsor for this year's junior championship. The championship, which debuted last year, promises an exciting showcase of young surfing talents in the Maldives.
Sixteen surfers will compete from Wednesday to Saturday, spanning the Under-14, Under-16, and Under-18 age categories, with each athlete participating in two categories.
Participants include:
- Under-18: Shaanif Shafeeq, Mohamed Zayan, Sayyid Salahuddeen, Raain Hashim, Mohamed Inaan Abdul Hannaan, Ahmed Luzain, Ahmed Nihaal and Ahmed Zayaan.
- Under-16: Yasin Ahmed Nashid, Nooh Mohamed Dhunaim Irushad, Kayan Abdulla Areef, Sayyid Salahuddeen, Yousuf Kayan Hamdhaan Zaki, Raain Hashim, Mohamed Inaan Abdul Hannaan, Ahmed Luzain, Ahmed Nihaal, Ahmed Zayaan, Ahmed Aal Aadil and Mohamed Saai Ahmed Shibaau.
- Under-14: Yasin Ahmed Nashid, Nooh Mohamed Dhunaim Irsuhad, Kayan Abdulla Areef, Yousuf Kayan Ahmed Zaki, Ahmed Aal Aadil and Mohamed Saai Ahmed Shibaau.
This competition will also serve as a pathway to the national junior surfing team for the next year. Last year's champions included Yousuf Kayan Hamdhan Zaki (U-14), Yasin Ahmed Nashid (U-16), and Ahmed Ameer (U-18). Kayan Zaki and Yasin will compete in the Under-14 and Under-16 categories this year, while Ameer competes in the junior category for the last time.