Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof has met with the Maldivian surfers who will be participating in the World Surfing Games 2019.

During the meeting held at the ministry premises on Saturday, Minister Mahloof had encouraged the team of three, to do their best and make the country proud.

Taking to twitter shortly after the meeting, Minister Mahloof wrote that discussions were held on organizing international tournaments in the country, as well as initiating a cleaning movement in the Raalhugandu area in capital city Malé, where trials were held from 19 – 21 June to choose the three finalists to compete in the tournament.

The last time Maldives took part in the World Surfing Games was in 2002.

The three surfers representing Maldives in the tournament, set to be held in September in Japan, are Hussain 'Iboo' Areef, Ismail ‘Smiley’ Rasheed and Ahmed 'Ammadey' Agil.

The competition will proceed from 07 – 14 September.

The World Surfing Games see the best surfers from across the globe gathered to compete against one another. 11-time World Champion winner, America’s Kelly Slater and Brazil’s Gabriel Medina who won the world championship twice, will be participating this year as well.

A total of 250 surfers from 55 countries will be participating.