The Maldives U-13 National football team has departed for Dubai to participate in the Under-13 Dubai Intercontinental Football Cup.

Following the Football Fiesta held to mark World Tourism Day last year, Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed announced the government's decision to sponsor and participate in the Under-13 Dubai Intercontinental Football Cup. As such, one of the football pitches to be used at the tournament has been named, ‘Visit Maldives’ under the sponsorship agreement.

The U-13 team departed for the tournament scheduled for 13th-15th February with coach Ismail Asif (Kuda Heena) on Tuesday morning.

Prior to the tournament, the Minister of Tourism, Ali Waheed and the Minister of Youth and Sports, Ahmed Mahloof met with the team last January.

The Maldivian team is set to play against football academies of Dubai as well as Saudi Arabia and Arsenal in the group stage.

The Under-13 Dubai Intercontinental Football Cup, by Spanish football star Michel Salgado, is held annually and features major teams such as FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Celta Vigo, Juventus, Chelsea, FC Porto, and Al Ahly.