The Maldivian teams who secured medals in the recent 11th edition of the Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG), held in Madagascar, have made the nation extremely proud, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Maldives competed in nine sports during this year’s games; table tennis, tennis, volleyball, athletics, handball, basketball, swimming, badminton and taekwondo, with a total of 176 athletes.
Of the nine games, Maldives secured a total of 28 medals in TT, badminton, athletics, taekwondo, para-athletics and basketball.
The medals won for the island nation at this year’s IOIG include five gold, nine silver and 14 bronze medals.
Taking to Twitter after the IOIG wrapped up on September 3, the Maldivian leader praised the exceptional performance of Maldivian players at the multi-sport international event.
At the 10th IOIG, President Solih travelled to Mauritius to support the Maldives when it won gold. The country won 15 medals that time round.
The Maldives traveled to Madagascar with a resolute aim to break this record at this year’s games. To achieve this feat, the teams made several efforts as part of training including training in foreign countries.
Although IOIG 2023 was initially scheduled to take place in the Maldives, the country’s chances of hosting the games narrowed down due to the Covid-19 pandemic, after which preparation work and expenses had doubled.
Speaking on RaajjeTV’s ‘Fashaairu’ programme recently, President Solih had stressed that hosting IOIG in the Maldives was something he wished to do during his term. However, he noted that the country lost its chance due to circumstances that surrounded the Covid-19 pandemic.
A hopeful president however noted that if he is re-elected for a second term, he would once more try to host IOIG in the country.
Teams from Reunion, Seychelles, Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar and Mayotte competed alongside Maldives in this year’s games.
The Maldivian teams are set to return home with their immense victories, on Tuesday evening.
The government is to host a grand welcome for the teams.
