National surfing team departs to India for Asian Surfing Champion

Maldives’ national surfing team has departed for India to participate in Asian Surfing Championship.

The team which departed on Tuesday comprises of nine athletes in total: three male athletes, three female athletes and three junior athletes. This marks the first the female team is traveling overseas for the championship.

The first Asian Surfing Championship was held in China. The championship was held in the Maldives in the next two years. This year, the championship will be held in India from August 3^rd to August 12^th.

Bank of Maldives Islamic (BML Islamic) is the national surfing team’s sponsor. Since 2022, BML Islamic has been supporting Maldives Surfing Association (MSA) through which significant assistance has been provided to the national surfing team. As part of this partnership, BNL Islamic also supports the National Junior Surfing Championship to promote the development of young talent in the sport.

MSA’s President Mohamed Sobah said it is an honor for the national surfing team to represent the Maldives in the international arena. He underscored the crucial assistance rendered by BML Islamic to prepare for the championship including providing the necessary resources required by athletes.

“We extend many thanks to BML Islamic for assistance rendered in developing surfing in the Maldives. We have always observed the national bank as a party that financially supports the development of sports,” he said.

According to MSA, the participation of the national female team and junior team in the championship ignites hope for the future of the sport. It also sets a mark in securing more opportunitties for women in the international arena.