President Solih Visits India to strengthen sporting ties (21 April 2019) |
President Solih visits India to strengthen sporting ties (April 21)
Cricket and other sports have been identified as important areas for enhancing engagement between the peoples of India and Maldives. India has agreed to build a Cricket Stadium of International standards in Hulhumalé during the recent visit of External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj to Malé on 17-18 March 2019. India has also agreed to provide training and other facilities to develop the Maldivian National Cricket Team. In this context, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, accompanied by key Ministers, including Minister of Sports, arrived in Bengaluru today afternoon. They held a meeting with CEO of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to discuss broad contours of capacity building of cricket in the Maldives and training of the Maldivian cricket team. During the visit, President Solih and the accompanying delegation will also witness the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) Indian Premier League (IPL) match at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. India has played a key role in popularizing cricket in the region and is one of the top teams in all formats of the games, including Women’s Cricket. India has provided training facilities to the National Teams of Afghanistan and Nepal. On the other hand, Maldives has performed well in Asian regional cricket and has the potential of playing competitive international cricket. Earlier this month, India supported the ongoing school cricket tournament organized by the Cricket Board of Maldives with the gifting of 1000 Cricket attire to the school children and youth of Maldives. India is also supporting the Athletics Association of Maldives in training its athletes. Recently, 9 athletes and 1 coach were trained at the Sports Authority of India premises in Bengaluru, in preparation for the 23rd Asian Athletics Championships, Doha (21-24 April 2019).
Male, 21 April 2019 |
High Commission of India Male, Maldives |