President Solih in Sri Lanka for Mahinda Rajapaksa Trophy
8 ނޮވެމްބަރު 2021 | ހޯމަ 11:31President and First Lady departed on an official visit to Sri Lanka on Monday morning
President and First Lady departed on an official visit to Sri Lanka on Monday morning
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed are in neighboring Sri Lanka for the Mahinda Rajapaksa Trophy or the Four Nations Cup.
The Maldivian First Couple departed from Velana International Airport on the official two-day visit on Monday morning.
During the visit, the Maldivian First Couple will officiate the “Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Trophy 2021” football tournament opening ceremony.
In the opening match of the tournament, Maldives and Sri Lanka are to go head-to-head on Monday night.
Four countries are competing for the trophy; Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Seychelles.
During the visit, the Maldivian president will also engage in official discussions with Sri Lankan PM Rajapaksa as well as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
After the conclusion of the official visit, the President and First Lady will return to Maldives on Wednesday.
The Four Nations Cup will proceed until November 19. The finals were initially to be held on November 17 however, it was delayed in order to make arrangements as FIFA President Giovanni Vincenzo "Gianni" Infantino is scheduled to make an appearance as the guest of honor in the final game.
This is the Maldives’ National Football Team’s next big event after facing defeat in the Ooredoo SAFF Championship 2021. This is also the team’s first big event following the appointment of Italy’s Franceso Moriero as coach.
Maldives second match in the tournament will be against Bangladesh on Thursday. In the first match of the league round, Maldives will compete with Seychelles on November 14.
In an earlier Four Nations Cup tournament in 2012, Maldives took home the trophy. However, the championship was held for under 23 teams back then.
There were controversies with ticket pricings for Maldivians when the Sri Lankan Football Federation initially announced ticket prices. Since then, ticket pricings have been slashed for Maldivians, at Rs 3,000 from Rs 5,000.
The national team began training for the cup, on October 25.
