The Asian Surfing Championship 2023 has been inaugurated.

The largest surfing competition held in Asia, the 'Asian Surfing Championship 2023 was inaugurated by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Saturday.

It is also the seventh international competition to be hosted in the Maldives, this year.

The Asian Surfing Championship 2023 is an initiative by the Asian Surfing Federation of the International Surfing Association, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment as well as the Maldives Surfing Association.

The competition will kick off in Thulusdhoo island of Kaafu atoll on July 9 and will proceed through July 17.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Vice President Faisal Naseem, Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof, and the President of the Asian Surfing Federation as well as surfers and officials from participating countries.

In his opening remarks, President Solih expressed gratitude to the organizers of the event and wished the surfers success.

President Solih was presented with a commemorative plaque of appreciation by the Asian Surfing Federation during Saturday’s ceremony.

As part of the inauguration, a sand ceremony symbolizing the unity of the participating countries and the union of diverse cultures and backgrounds within the teams, was also held.

The sand ceremony represented the spirit of collaborative harmony and sportsmanship among the competing surfers.

Following the inauguration ceremony, the Maldivian leader toured the venues prepared for the competition.

Since 2004, the Asian Surfing Championship has been the largest surfing competition in Asia.

Open to all countries in Asia, this year’s competition will feature surfers from 18 nations.