Maldives' sports project gets indication of potential CGF funding

Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF)'s President Chris Jenkins has indicated that the federation may fund a sports project in the Maldives, revealed Sports Minister Abdulla Rafiu today.

The minister met with Jenkins during on the sidelines of the CGF Oceania and Asia Regional Meeting which began today at SAii Lagoon, Crossroads, welcoming representatives from 22 countries.

During their meeting, Jenkins gave an indication that the CGF would provide assistance for a sports project in Maldives, Rafiu said.

Speaking at the opening of the CGF regional meeting, Rafiu highlighted the "Playing with Corals" project commenced in Faafu atoll by the Sports Ministry. He gave a presentation and explained about the project in detail during his speech.

Rafiu said that the reason he spoke in such detail about the project at the opening ceremony of the CGF meeting was to facilitate other such projects in other parts of the country as well.

“The purpose [of it] is to carry out similar projects in other parts of the country,” Rafiu said. He also said there are many things that can be done to teach other skills through sports.

In his meeting with Jenkins, he said, they discussed getting aid for another such project.

"During the discussions, we took the example of the carbon sink areas that we have in the country, such as mangrove wetlands. The work that needs to be done (through a sports project) to maintain and protect those wetlands," he said.

He went on to say that even if athletes leave the sport at some point, those that were trained in the sport would still become productive members of society.

"I informed the CGF President about such projects which we are able to offer. [He] gave a very promising, hopeful response," Rafiu said.

In addition to international tournaments, Rafiu previously spoke about holding international sports meetings in Maldives. Highlighting that the goal was achieved today, he said that the CGF meeting being held in Maldives would facilitate more opportunities for sports in the country.

“This will hopefully facilitate a lot of things to be done in the development of sports in Maldives,” Rafiu said.

The meeting, which is attended by sports representatives from the Commonwealth member states of Asia and Oceania, is the largest sporting event ever held in Maldives to date. This is also the first time the meeting is being held in Asia.

The meeting will continue through Tuesday.