Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Ahmed Mahloof has on Sunday inaugurated an office for the Maldives Paralympic and Special Olympic Committee in capital city Malé.

The inauguration ceremony was held in Galolhu Stadium in the capital city on Sunday.

Speaking to attendees of the ceremony, Minister Mahloof said that the government places high priority in paving ways for children with disabilities to be a part of the society just like normal people. In this regard he said that the government prioritizes in ensuring that they are not cast aside.

He added that children with disabilities will be given the chance to run for international athletic competitions with the establishment of these committees.

Further, the minister said that a Maldivian will compete in the Paralympic games at the Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG) and expressed his hope that the player representing Maldives will bring home a title.

The player, Mazin, stated that he has always dreamt of representing Maldives at the IOIG and it gives him immense pleasure to be able to do so. He stated that he is competing to face lots of challenges and that he hopes to win a gold medal for Maldives.

Taking to twitter after the inauguration, Minister Mahloof wrote that it a “historic” day for the Maldives to have opened its first Paralympic and Special Olympic office. This he said, is a presidential pledge of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.