The Sports Ministry has introduced a new regulation that allows eligible athletes to receive up to MVR 300,000 per year for advanced training and experience under the government-funded Arutha Programme.
The initiative aims to support Maldivian athletes competing at national and international levels by covering the cost of high-level training and technical support.
According to the regulation, athletes must meet specific criteria to qualify:
Be a Maldivian citizen
Have competed in events organized by nationally recognized sports associations or represented Maldives internationally
Be under 35 years of age
Enroll in training programs endorsed by the Maldives Olympic Committee, Maldives Paralympic Committee, or the relevant National Sports Association
Athletes train at the Male' city running track. (Facebook Photo/Athletics Association of Maldives)
The programme is designed to run for one to three years, with a maximum annual allocation of MVR 300,000 per athlete. Applications will be accepted during official calls announced by the ministry.
In addition to athlete support, the regulation also promotes the equitable training of technical experts who assist athletes in their development.
The launch of this regulation follows the government’s recent move to increase salaries and allowances for national team players, officials, and para-athletes, fulfilling a pledge made by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. The ministry stated that it is currently working to disburse the revised allowances for the period between May and September 2024.