Inauguration of the Ekuveni synthetic running track in Male’

The Ekuveni synthetic running track in Male’ was inaugurated on 16 January 2021 through a befitting ceremony graced by the President of Maldives H.E. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. It is the 1st India-funded grant project to be inaugurated in 2021 and overall, the 8th Indian grant project in the Maldives to be completed in the last six months. The ceremony included a limited over cricket-match with participation of H.E. President Solih and High Commissioner Sunjay Sudhir, a relay race and showcase-events by differently-abled children.

Work on the Ekuveni running track and cricket ground started in September 2020 and has been steered and executed by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment in record time. To recall, a groundbreaking ceremony for the project was held on 09 November 2020 by Sports Minister Ahmed Mahloof and Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla.

The Ekuveni running track is the only track of international standards in the Maldives. It is a landmark open space in the capital city of Male’ which has been used by sportsmen and professional athletes to conduct sporting events and host sports tournaments. Moreover, it also attracts fitness-enthusiasts in Male’ for jogging, exercise and other athletic pursuits. The newly-laid state-of-the-art running track is designed to make the space more suited for exercise, sports  and athletic events and will equally benefit sports professionals and the residents of Male’. India is honoured to financially support  the re-modeling and renovation of Male’s iconic sports arena. The Ekuveni track will promote a healthier lifestyle which is of the most important pledges of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih,

The Ekuveni project forms part of a larger set of 30 High-Impact Community Development projects that are being implemented across the islands of the Maldives, with a total financial outlay of MVR 200 million (USD 13 million) from India. The list of projects completed under Indian grant assistance includes the ‘Convention Centre in Ukulhas’, installation of Streetlights in Kolhufushi, development of Vaani Police Centre,  providing ‘Vehicles and machinery’ to the Male’ City council, Goidhoo-Fehendhoo school ferry, providing equipment for setting up Outdoor gyms on 61 islands and 67 Children’s Parks spread across the Atolls. 

Over the next 2-3 months, India looks forward to the inauguration of Rasdhoo Coastal protection project, Wetland Park in Faresmathoda, a refurbished ‘My Home -Fiyavathi’ orphanage in Hulhumale’, Central Park and renovated Jetty in Hulhumale’, classrooms in Lhohi and Kinolhas schools. With a special focus on development of Addu city, India is also assisting in setting up 3 fish-processing plants, 5 eco-tourism zones and a Drug-Detoxification Centre in Addu. In the northern islands, India’s grant assistance includes setting up a bottled-water plant in Hoarafushi, and a soil-testing lab at the Hanimaadhoo Agricultural Research Centre.    

High-impact community projects undertaken through Indian grant assistance constitute an important dimension of the dynamic development partnership between India and the Maldives. They involve a high-level of community participation and create an impact in the areas of livelihood and income generation, health, education, gender and child empowerment, sports, and sustainable development. This development partnership is further distinguished by its transparent and participative nature and an inherent flexibility to perfectly complement requirements of the local community and the thrust of the government on decentralization.


High Commission of India Male, Maldives