The Volleyball Association of Maldives has approved a budget of MVR 43.9 million, focused on representing the country in multiple international tournaments.
Along with the budget, VAM's Annual General Meeting also approved last year's annual activity report as well as the annual financial report of 2024.
During the meeting the association also unveiled this year's calendar of tournaments and programmes.
According to the organisation, VAM's biggest goal this year is to launch a youth development program to train young people with the help of a popular coach who will join the association from overseas. Another coach will also be appointed soon to help formulate a 10-year master plan for Maldivian volleyball, VAM said.
Last year, the association received a budget of MVR 5.2 million for its activities. However, MVR 7.2 million was recorded as spent.
VAM receives the largest funding from the government. While the association is expected to receive significant assistance from the government this year as well, the biggest expenditure in this year's budget is to compete in international tournaments and host international tournaments locally.
As such, MVR 10.2 million has been allocated for hosting international tournaments while MVR 15.1 million has been allocated for competing in international tournaments abroad. Additionally, MVR 5.7 million has been allocated for training camps while a further MVR 7.8 million has been set aside for local tournaments in the country. MVR 3.5 million has also been budgeted for association's youth development efforts.
This year's calendar includes 17 national volleyball tournaments and four beach volleyball tournaments to be hosted in Maldives. However, national teams will participate in 18 other international tournaments while Maldives is set to host four international tournaments within the year.
11 of the 13 permanent members of the association attended the annual meeting held at the Social Center on Thursday night while 13 of the 16 Executive Committee members were also in attendance.
The meeting was chaired by VAM's President Mohamed Latheef, who is also the Executive Vice President of AVC, AVC Zonal (Central) Executive Vice President and President of Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA).
This was also the last meeting of the previous Executive Committee, with the four-year committee, which was newly elected in February, beginning its term yesterday. Many former members, including President Latheef, have been elected for the next four years.