Minister warns Feeali council over inauguration of volleyball court without gov’t approval
Council President Moosa clarified that the court was built using surplus funds from the council’s own budget
Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu speaking at an event.
Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu has issued a formal warning to the Feeali Island Council in Faafu Atoll for inaugurating a newly developed outdoor volleyball court without prior approval from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s administration.
The court, funded and developed by the Feeali Council, was officially opened on Thursday evening during a special ceremony attended by prominent opposition figures, including Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) President Abdulla Shahid and former Vice President Faisal Naseem.
Approximately 30 minutes before the ceremony, Minister Rafiu reportedly called Feeali Council President Moosa Ahmed, asserting that the volleyball court had been constructed with state funds and ordering the immediate cancellation of the event. The Local Government Authority (LGA) also intervened during the event, with CEO Mohamed Nimal issuing a similar directive to halt the ceremony.
In an interview with RaajjeTV’s ‘Fashaairu’ morning talk show, Council President Moosa clarified that the court was built using surplus funds from the council’s own budget, originally allocated during President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration for revenue-generating projects.
Moosa explained that following the change in government, he had met with Minister Rafiu to discuss incomplete sports projects on the island and had requested the new administration's support in completing them. According to Moosa, Minister Rafiu responded that Feeali’s sports projects would be considered in the second or final quarter of the year, as the government was still in the budgeting and planning phase. However, Moosa stated that none of the requests have been addressed to date.
He also claimed that during the court’s construction, the council received no support from the current administration and instead faced obstacles from various government agencies.
Opposition MDP President Abdulla Shahid condemned the government's actions, calling it “disgraceful” to attempt to stop a community-led celebration. Shahid said the event marked the successful completion of a development project carried out entirely by the island’s council and people.
