Sports associations plead for promised government funds

Maldivian national sports associations are struggling to secure promised financial support from the government.

Several sports associations have informed Sun that the delay in receiving these funds is hindering their ability to pay salaries and organize sports tournaments.

The government typically disburses funds to associations in four quarterly installments via the National Sports Fund. While the first quarter's funds were released earlier this year, many associations have yet to receive their second or third quarter allocations, well into the third quarter.

A senior official within the Sports Ministry, who requested anonymity, attributed the delay to a lack of available funds within the ministry. The official stated that approximately MVR 300,000 remains in the sports budget for the year, and the Sports Minister has personally communicated financial management difficulties to the heads of some sports associations.

Maldives' sports associations are heavily reliant on government funding. However, despite the current lack of disbursements, they are hesitant to vocalize their concerns, fearing that doing so could jeopardize future government aid.

In addition to funding sports associations, the government is also responsible for prize money and travel expenses for national sports teams competing abroad. To date, the ministry has not deposited funds for most international trips, nor has the prize money been released.