Maldives Olympics Committee’s General Secretary Ahmed Marzooq has won the Olympics Council of Asia (OCA)’s Merit Awards.

The award honors Marzooq’s exceptional services to the sports sector of Asia within the past 11 years and was presented to the winner during the 39th General Assembly of OCA, hosted in Muscat, Oman.

Speaking to RaajjeMV from Oman, Marzooq stated that the Maldivian athletes and sports community which has supported him immensely throughout the journey is deserving of the award and expressed gratitude for the cooperation received.

Marzooq has bagged the award at a time he has been contributing generous services to the country’s sports sector since assuming office as the Maldives Olympics Committee’s General Secretary during 2009.

Some of his notable contributions include leading training programs for Maldivian athletes in which Hassan Saaid participated, having bagged gold in the 100-meter run at the Indian Ocean Island Games held during 2015.

Marzooq paved the opportunity for several Maldivian athletes and sports teams to join training session abroad as well.

Alongside paving training opportunities for Maldivian players, Marzooq also aspires to host international standard games in the Maldives.

Maldives won the bid to host the IOIG 2023, however, due to the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic, Maldives has since lost the bid.

Before joining the Olympic Committee, Marzooq had served as the General Secretary to Victory Sports Club.

Marzooq, son of renowned referee late Hussain Didi, kicked off his football career having played for youth national football teams, Club Valencia as well as IFC.

Ibrahim Ismail, who served as a president at the Maldives Olympics Committee’s is also a recipient of the OCA Merit Award.