Indoor Handball Court in Malé to Be Completed Very Soon, Says Minister

The Minister of Sports and Youth, Abdullah Rafiu, has stated that the construction of the indoor handball court in Malé is progressing well and will be completed very soon without further delays. The minister made the remarks while responding to concerns raised by national handball team player Ahmed Saif Naeem about the lack of proper training facilities for handball athletes. Saif Naeem highlighted that handball players currently have to train and play matches on grounds designated for other sports, which hampers their preparation. He asked whether courts could be built in Hulhumalé Phase 2 to address the issue. Minister Rafiu recalled that a similar question had been raised two years ago at the Athletes’ Forum regarding the conversion of the handball court into an indoor facility. He confirmed that the framework of the indoor court is now complete and payment for the surface has been made. He expressed confidence that the work would be finished very soon. Once completed, the indoor court will provide a significant relief for handball players. In addition, the government plans to establish 27 indoor sports complexes across the country, including indoor courts in Hulhumalé Phase 2 and Vilimalé. These facilities will be designed to international standards and will accommodate multiple indoor sports, including handball. Currently, the only indoor court in Malé is at the Youth Centre. The new indoor handball court project includes roofing, installation of a lighting system, and seating for spectators.