Multiple clubs refuse to participate in President's Cup
If a solution is not found for the clubs' concerns, they have stated that they will not be able to participate in the President's Cup scheduled to commence on February 26.
A match in an earlier edition of the Presidents Cup
Several clubs have informed the Normalizing Committee of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) that they will not be able to participate in the President's Cup football tournament scheduled to begin this month.
The Normalizing Committee has been working to recommence the Maldivian football season this month. According to the schedule they have prepared, the Charity Shield match to open the season will be played on February 24. And after that, the President's Cup is scheduled to begin on February 26.
In the letter addressed to Ahmed Zuhoor, Chairman of FAM's Normalizing Committee, the clubs stated that if the financial assistance agreed to be provided by the Ministry of Sports, Fitness and Recreation had been received in January, the season could have started in February. The clubs also mentioned that this is because at least four weeks of pre-season training is needed. The letter stated that this was agreed upon in a meeting with senior officials from the Ministry of Sports, Fitness and Recreation and FAM. It also mentioned that the Ministry of Sports, Fitness and Recreation had assured that the funds would be received in January, with the intention to start the season in February.
Subsequently, in a meeting held on February 1 between the Chairman of the Normalizing Committee and the clubs, it was agreed that the season would start 30 days after the clubs receive the funds, as noted in the letter. However, the clubs pointed out that FAM has suddenly decided to hold the season opening match on February 24 and kick off the President's Cup on February 26, lacking respect for any of the agreements made.
In the letter, the clubs stated that the Normalizing Committee had informed them that no club would be penalized if they withdrew from the President's Cup. They also mentioned that the President's Cup is one of the most prestigious tournaments in Maldivian football, and the clubs want to compete in it. However, the clubs have appealed for the football season schedule to be made in a way that addresses their concerns. The clubs shared four points in the letter.
They include starting the season with the Charity Shield match in the first week of April, dedicating March for Ramadan - noting that two international matches are also scheduled for the last two weeks of March. They also requested to proceed with the league as per the current calendar, and to move the President's Cup to the latter part of the season to give clubs adequate time for financial and operational stability.
Therefore, if a solution is not found for the clubs' concerns, they have stated that they will not be able to participate in the President's Cup scheduled to commence on February 26. Nine clubs have signed the letter. These are TC Sports Club, Club Valencia, Victory Sports Club, United Victory, Club Green Streets, Buru Sports Club, SUS Sports Club, Club Eagles, and Odi Sports Club. The only club that hasn't signed the letter is Maziya Sports & Recreation, the most recent champion of the President's Cup.
