International standard surfing stadium to be built

The government has started dismantling the bridge platform, with the aim of establishing an international standard surfing stadium at the location.

A media official from the Ministry of Sports, Fitness and Recreation said that the construction of the surfing and bodyboarding stadium is being contracted to Rotime Engineering and Technology, Hong Kong.

The agreement to build the stadium was signed between the ministry and the company in April, although the cost of the project is unknown.

While dismantling of the bridge platform has started, the duration granted for the completion of the project has not yet been disclosed.

Sports Minister Abdulla Rafiu previously said that the main purpose of building this stadium is to resolve issues faced in holding international competitions in Maldives.

Maldives has even recently hosted bodyboarding and surfing international competitions. This includes 'Visit Maldives Pro' in the International Bodyboarding Corporation (IBC)'s World Tour which was held in 2022. After this, Maldives was included in IBC's Tour Calendar last year.

Over MVR 8 million was spent on building the bridge viewing platform during former President Abdulla Yameen's administration. The cost was covered by STRADA, operators of NewPort. In exchange, they were given land there to operate a restaurant.