Addu City Sports Complex Construction to Begin This Year With November 2025 Deadline

Construction of the planned sports complex in Addu City is expected to begin this year, with a target completion date set for November 2025. The project, a key initiative announced during President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to the city last year, aims to modernize athletic infrastructure in the south. Speaking on PSM’s “Ahaa” forum, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness Abdulla Rafiu confirmed that the design and technical phases have been completed. The project was contracted to the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) on November 5 last year, and the structural work has now been awarded to a contractor for implementation. Minister Rafiu noted that concrete foundations for the complex's badminton hall have already been laid. The government is currently in discussions with the contractor to expedite the timeline, with the Minister warning that the contract will be terminated and re-awarded if significant delays occur. This project is part of a broader national strategy to decentralize sporting activities and expand athlete access. The government has announced plans to develop 27 indoor sports complexes across various regions of the Maldives. This initiative addresses a long-standing gap in infrastructure; the Minister highlighted that for 33 years, the only indoor sports court in the country was located at the Male' Youth Centre. To address this shortage, additional indoor courts will be established within the Greater Male' area, including Hulhumalé Phase One, Phase Two, and Vilimalé. These facilities are designed to allow athletes to train and compete in professional environments closer to their homes, facilitating the hosting of major regional competitions. Complementing these physical developments, the government has introduced amendments to the Sports Act. These legislative changes are encouraging sports associations to establish regional offices and update their regulations to better support athletes across the archipelago.