Malla Lhathuthu’s body to be brought back; funeral scheduled for tomorrow

The body of legendary Maldivian football referee and longtime public servant, Malla Lhathuthy, who died in India on Thursday will be brought back to the Maldives for his funeral that is slated for Saturday.

Sun learned that Malla Lhathuthu died at the age of 76 in India’s Trivandrum, after a long battle with a serious illness.

His funeral prayer will be held after Magrib prayers on Saturday at the Islamic Centre. The public can pay last respects to the deceased from 14:30pm onwards at the Islamic Centre.

Malla Lhathuthu retired on April 20, 2010, after over 43 years of service to the state.

He had been a legendry football referee, contributing to the development of the country’s sports sector for over 52 years.

He received the National Award of Recognition for his contributions to the development of sports sector in 1990, the National Award of Honor in 2021, and the National Award for Public Service in 2022.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu conveyed condolences to the bereaved family on Thursday via a post on X, in which he  Malla Lhathuthu’s death as “an irrevocable loss for the Maldivian sports sector.”