Under President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the Maldives has entered a period of unprecedented sporting achievement, marked by historic medal hauls and reforms aimed at elevating athlete welfare. Over the past two years, Maldivian athletes have won 55 medals in international competitions, 13 gold, 18 silver and 24 bronze, while the government has advanced policies to strengthen support and expand infrastructure.
The momentum has been visible across sports. In February, Mariyam Eeshal Misbah won silver in the Junior Individual Category at the Asian Rifle and Pistol Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, the greatest success in the history of Maldivian shooting. That same month, the National Women’s Basketball Team earned its first silver medal at the South Asian Basketball Association Women’s Championship in New Delhi, India, while the National Men’s Handball Team placed third at the Commonwealth Beach Handball Tournament.
Track and field athletes added to the tally. Ali Shareef and Nafiza Ahmed captured gold at the Annual Masters Athletics Championship in Sri Lanka, with Mohamed Amir taking silver. Husna Mohamed won bronze at the 23rd Asia Masters Athletics Championship, and the women’s 4x100m relay team secured bronze at the South Asian Senior Athletics Championship. In martial arts, Mohamed Saif Shaan Abdulla won gold in Sri Lanka, while athletes at the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Badminton Tournament collected three silver medals.
Table tennis teams placed third in the South Asian Regional Qualification for the 2026 World Championship, before the Maldives claimed the South Asian Super Cup title in Sri Lanka. Rising badminton player Laiba Ahmed Mahloof won three gold medals at the Armenian Youth Open in June, her first international gold, and added three more medals at the Batumi Cup in Georgia in August. Maldivian skaters contributed 10 medals at the Inline Skate Series in Indonesia.
Surfing has emerged as a breakthrough sport. The national team qualified for the Asian Games 2026 in Japan, earning four guaranteed spots through performances at the Asian Surfing Championship in Thulusdhoo, Kaafu Atoll, in 2024 and in Tamil Nadu, India, this year. Maldivian athletes also won bronze in the under-18 men’s category at this year’s championship.
Competitive success has been matched by reforms to improve athlete welfare. Salaries for national players, officials and para-athletes were equalised and raised to USD 454.60 from 1 May, eliminating disparities under which players received USD 324.30 and officials USD 162.15. The administration’s manifesto outlines plans for a special pension scheme to recognise athletes’ national service, while the Ministry of Sports, Fitness and Recreation has finalised an insurance scheme to begin in January 2026.
The Maldives has also positioned itself as a host for international competition. Since January, seven international tournaments have been staged, including the Commonwealth Beach Handball Championship in Kulhudhuffushi City in August, the first of its kind in the Maldives. A new stadium with capacity for 600 was built to host the event, part of a broader policy to establish decentralised, international-standard facilities. Other events included the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SABA Qualifiers in June, the Central Asian Volleyball Association Men’s Champions League in Malé in July, and four international tennis tournaments.
Domestic tennis players achieved historic victories in these competitions. Aara Aasaal Azim won the country’s first gold medal in an ITF event, triumphing in Doubles at the ITF Maldives Junior Open J30. Naba Nishan secured the Singles championship during the first week of the ATF Maldives Junior Open and later won the Women’s Doubles title with Manha Mohamed Ali.
Three more international tournaments are scheduled before year’s end: the 7th Carrom World Cup in Malé on 6 December, expected to draw more than 200 athletes from 20 countries; the CAVA Cup for Women’s 2025; and the CAVA Women’s Champions League 2025.