Mahloof: No lack of practice pitch for National Futsal team

Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof on Wednesday stated that the National Futsal team would not need to “go home” due to a lack of pitch to practice.

He made the statement while responding to questions asked by lawmakers after he was summoned to the Parliament to inquire about the work of the ministry.

 In the opportunity granted to question the minister, MP for Nilandhoo constituency Abdul Muhsin Hameed noted the support for futsal in Maldives, asked when the ministry intends to develop an indoor pitch for futsal.

In response, Minister Mahloof said that under the guise of futsal pitches, only mini-pitches have been developed in the country so far and that it was “something else” being played by following the rules of the sport on those.

He went on to state that a national team has now been put together, who have been playing “real futsal” abroad.

“Suddenly when a national team was put together and sent abroad, real futsal is being played on real futsal courts. Those kids have achieved really good results from it as well.”

Moreover, he also addressed the talk on social media that the team had to go home due to a lack of a place for practice. He expressed concern over such rumours being spread.

“Maldivian futsal team did not have to go home because they were unable to get a pitch for practice. The team will get one of the pitches we developed or even if develop before, one of those pitches for practice. However, at the moment, there is no futsal indoor [court] in Maldives.”

He also assured that at the slightest opportunity, they will develop such a pitch, and added that the hope was to complete it by the end of term.