Hassan Saaidh - the fastest runner in the Maldives - has been entrusted to bear the national flag during the opening ceremony of the 9th Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG), which is to commence on Saturday at Réunion.
He was given the flag by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, during a meeting ceremony held today at the President’s Office.
Saaidh became a semi-finalist in the 100-meter dash, at the Asian Athletics Championship which took place in Wuhan, China on June this year; and had earned the ranking as the 12th fastest Asian athlete. He had also achieved a national record during his 200-meter dash semi-finals.
A total of 14 Maldivian teams will be participating in 10 games, in the tournament which will conclude on August 8.