Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness, Abdulla Rafiu, has stated that the administration’s policy is to fully respect the decisions made by the Maldives Olympic Committee (MOC) and national sports associations, while working collaboratively to strengthen the sector.
The Minister made these remarks during a press conference held at the President’s Office, where he outlined the administration’s approach to expanding opportunities for participation in international tournaments.
He reiterated that, in selecting athletes for international competitions, the government does not prioritise or favour any particular sport, underscoring its commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for all athletes. He further noted that both the Maldives Olympic Committee and the Maldives Paralympic Committee demonstrate the highest levels of engagement in international sporting events.
The Minister also clarified that, when opportunities arise for the Maldives to participate in international tournaments, it is the respective sports associations that determine whether to take part and are responsible for selecting the athletes. He emphasised that the Ministry plays no role in the selection of individual athletes and maintains strict impartiality in this regard.