Maldives contingent in Madagascar for IOIG 2023

The Maldives contingent participating in the 11th edition of the Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG) has arrived in Madagascar.

The Maldivian contingent comprising of around 300, arrived in Madagascar on Wednesday evening after a five-hour-long journey. The contingent includes nine medical officials and 58 other officials.

Renowned tennis player Abdulla Faih Fazeel and Maldivian table tennis prodigy Fathimath Dheema Ali were announced as the flag bearers for the Maldives at IOIG 2023, to be held in the Republic of Madagascar.

At this year’s highly anticipated IOIG, a total of 172 Maldivian athletes will be competing in nine sporting events and a youth camp. Some of the sports include badminton, swimming, table tennis, tennis, taekwondo, basketball, handball and athletics.

Two athletes from the country’s para-athletics team will compete in athletics at this year’s IOIG, the games are scheduled to kick start on Friday.

Further, a men’s team and women’s team from Maldives will compete in the three-on-three basketball.

The 11th edition of IOIG is slated to run from August 25 to September 3.

Teams from Reunion, Seychelles, Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar and Mayotte are competing alongside Maldives in this year’s games.

Maldives bagged 15 medals at the 10th edition of IOIG, held back in 2019; five in table tennis and beach volleyball, three in athletics and two in badminton. Maldives departed for this year’s games, with a steady aim to break the last IOIG’s record and achieve more. As such, local teams are more prepared for this year’s games, according to officials.