China’s Fujian Province has extended generous support to the Maldives by donating a large consignment of sports equipment
The official handover ceremony was held on Wednesday at Henveiru Boalhage, where the Ambassador of China to the Maldives, Kong Xianhua, formally presented the donation on behalf of Fujian Province. Accepting the items on behalf of the Maldives was the Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation, Abdulla Rafiu.
The donation package included a wide range of sports items such as footballs, bags, caps, tracksuits, socks, and men’s shorts and t-shirts.
During the ceremony, Minister Rafiu expressed his appreciation to Fujian Province for its consistent support in strengthening sports in the Maldives. He highlighted that this assistance is a reflection of the strong and friendly ties between the Maldives and China, while also noting his hope that the cooperation between the two sides will continue to expand in the years ahead.
Earlier in February, the Maldives signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sports Bureau of Fujian Province. The agreement outlines a framework of cooperation that includes joint training programmes, support for the development of players, clubs, and teams, and capacity-building initiatives in the wider sports sector. Under the MoU, training opportunities will be provided for medical professionals, coaches, referees, and umpires, along with awareness sessions on prohibited substances in sports. Another key objective of the MoU is to create more international exposure and competitive opportunities for Maldivian players and teams.
This latest handover marks the second time this year that Fujian Province has donated sports equipment to the Maldives. Previous donations included athletics gear, table tennis equipment, and football supplies. In addition, China has extended technical assistance by helping train volleyball and basketball coaches and players, while also contributing towards capacity development in the field of sports medicine.
