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The Maldives is an island nation consisting of a chain of about 1,190 coral islands stretching
750km across the Indian Ocean, geographically divided into 26 natural atolls. The 26 natural atolls
are categorised into 20 atolls for administrative purposes. Only 192 of these islands are inhabited
with a total population of about 366 972. In the Maldives, youth is defined as young people
between 18 and 35 years old. Youth makes up more than one third of the Maldivian population
(33.7 percent). The age structure of the population represents both a wealth and a challenge for
the Maldives and has important implications in terms of social services delivery, employment,
urbanisation and other development issues.
The 20 administrative atolls have distinct names and features that make each one of them
extraordinary. Now it is possible to explore all the atolls of the Maldives by staying in resorts,
hotels, guest houses and traversing across the ocean.
The Maldives encompass more than 99 % of the sea and less than 1 % of the land. The 99 % of
the sea is home to one of the most diverse marine treasures of the world. Less than 1 % of the
land is a masterpiece in natural landscaping.
The ratification of the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives on 7th August 2008 ushered in a
new democratic era. Under the new constitution great emphasis is placed on upholding the
doctrines of rule of law and separation of powers.
Today, the current President is Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who took his position in November 2013.
During his presidency Yameen has sought various economic reforms.
President Yameen’s main focus is to cater to the needs of the youth, because he believes they
are the fuel that drives this country’s productivity. And he believes that without effort by youth,
there cannot be economic or social stability in the Maldives and the current government is trying
to empower youth in all fields, young men and young women and introduced a system of loans to
encourage youth entrepreneurship. He states that the main purpose of economic projects is to
promote the development of the country and to increase the youth participation in the economic
growth. In addition, one of the main targets of the current government is to create 94,000 jobs
within the 5 year - presidential term.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports is a Key Component of Government that has a fundamental stake
in achieving the key pledges of President Yameen’s Youth and Sports Manifesto. It is bestowed
with the responsibility to coordinate, facilitate and ensure the development of youth and sports in
the country. It provides the Policy direction for the smooth implementation of youth and sports
activities and programmes throughout the country. It should be noted that Ministry of Youth and
Sports has under its purview, implementing Agencies such as, the Youth Department, the Sports
Department, Projects Implementation Department, Planning and Development including Job
Centres and National Career Guidance Centre, Logistics & procurement Department, General
Report on Ministry Youth and Sports
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India – Maldives Friendship, Youth Exchange Program 2016
Administration & Legal Affairs Department, Information technology Department, Human Resources
Management Department, Accounts and Finance Department, National Centre for the Arts,
National Library, Maldives National Institute of Sports, National Bureau of Classification, Political
Bureau, International Affairs, Media and Public Relations, Technical Committee, Bid Committee,
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Grievance Committee, Disciplinary Committee, National Youth Council (NYC), and National Sports
Council (NSC). These agencies consist of Sections and Units for implementing various policies
pertain to Youth and Sports.
Ministry of Youth and Sports is headed by Minister of Youth and Sports Mr. Ahmed Zuhoor, and four
deputy ministers are working under him in order to implement the policies effectively and
efficiently. The deputy ministers are Mr. Abdul Muhsin Hameed, Mr. Naif Shaukath, Mr. Shah Ismail
and Mr. Ali Adil. The Deputy Ministers are the principal source of support for a Minister in fulfilling
his collective and individual responsibilities. In providing this support, the Deputy Ministers are
responsible for ensuring:
sound public service advice on policy development and implementation, with respect to
the government's youth and sports policy;
effective departmental management, as well as advice on management of the Minister's
entire portfolio; and
fulfillment of authorities that have been assigned to the Deputy Ministers
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Moreover, political appointees such as Coordinators and Youth Associates and Civil Staff are
working tirelessly in order to achieve the goals.
Our vision is to
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To build a responsible youth, who respect Islamic Sharia, loves the national harmony and
peace and take participate in national development.
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To provide opportunity and encourage for both men and women to take participates in
sports in national and international level, and to cater various facilities that need for sports
development
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To build a youth with good mental, physical, psychological and sexual health, who can lead
and take participate in national development.
For this, Ministry of Youth and Sports mainly focuses on Youth and Sports manifesto pledges, like
empowering youth and Sports infra-structure development.
There are 38 Youth Centres established across the Country with Indoor facilities and 1 youth
Centre established in Sri Lanka as well. The ministry of Youth and Sports actively engage in
Creating an entrepreneurial culture amongst young people, Promoting healthy and responsible
lifestyles amongst youth towards creating youth of high moral standard, facilitating youth
Report on Ministry Youth and Sports
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India – Maldives Friendship, Youth Exchange Program 2016
participation and leadership in all social, economic and cultural spheres of the country, and
developing Youth Work Profession.
Major Youth Related Programs include:
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Youth Challenge
Youth Centre
Kissaru – Youth Job Expo
Atoll Youth Centre
Faruma – Youth Innovation and Arts exhibition
Youth Counseling Service
Peer Education Program
STEP Program – Youth Job Opportunity Program
Youth Volunteers Network
Youth Skills Development Program
Youth Health Café
Fitness Fair
Youth Exchange Program
Youth Awareness Programs
Health Awareness Sessions
Thematic Sessions
Youth Fitness Program
Development of Skills needed for Jobs
Youth NGO programs
Disable Youths empowerment program
Youth Awareness Resort Camp
Youth National Forum
The numbers of youth who are inactive and idle in the Maldives are increasing rapidly which is
leading to anti-social behavior. The need to engage them effectively has become a national
concern and priority. However, the lack of proper facilities to engage them in a good manner is
one of the issues noted in many platforms. Also, currently the demand for the development of
sports infrastructure in the islands has been increasing. Adding to this, there is a need for sports
associations to be more active and conduct more programs to engage youth in the islands. With
the development of Sports and also with the increase in the number of youth professionalizing in
different sports in the Maldives today, it has become an important necessity to develop
infrastructures adequate to develop the sport itself.
As the Government gives high priority to youth involving and engagement, the government
planned to develop sports grounds in the name of Sports Arenas specialized for indoor and
outdoor sports facilities in order to establish recreational facilities, establish training and
development facilities for sports, establish facilities to conduct national sports events and
Professional development in sports.
The core of the project is to develop recreational facilities throughout the Maldives and also to
open up avenues for a physically fit lifestyle.
Report on Ministry Youth and Sports
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India – Maldives Friendship, Youth Exchange Program 2016
The Sports Arenas will consist of from the following facilities according to the island population:
Indoor Sports Facilities include:
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Billiard, Foosball, Carom, Chess and Dart
Gym and Aerobics
Aerobics
Music room
Reception
Administrative Office
Store Room
Restroom
Multipurpose Court: In addition to the above sports facilities, a multipurpose court will be
developed indoors which can be utilized for badminton, volleyball and basketball. The total
area of the court is 8818.32 sqft.
Outdoor Sports Facilities include:
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Football ground
Rostrum
Turf Futsal ground
Volleyball
Basketball
Netball
Bashi (cultural sport)
Athletics track
Along with these outdoor sports facilities, a canteen/ café’ and a rostrum will be developed.
It is reported that 45 futsal pitches have been built in 43 islands for the youth. The Government
also pays attention on the development of athletes and in the manifesto, the implementing a
policy of paying those national athletes are included. There are now more than 200 athletes
included on the government pay roll. Any athlete who is on the national squad will receive a salary
from the state.
President Yameen is meeting the challenges we face as a nation with a visionary and
comprehensive plan. One of the key election pledges of the President Yameen’s Administration is
to Securing a brighter future for the Maldivian youth through the creation of vast socio-economic
opportunities and His vision is "Where there is life, there is hope”. And the Minister, Deputy
Minister and staff of Ministry of Youth and Sports are working towards the target!
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Compiled by: Ahmed Ibrahim
Report on Ministry Youth and Sports
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India – Maldives Friendship, Youth Exchange Program 2016