Land has been allocated from the capital's suburban district Hulhumale' for the development of a Tennis Complex, with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment handing over the land to the Tennis Association of Maldives (TAM) at an event held at the National Tennis Center on Thursday night.

The agreement that was signed between Sports Minister Ahmed Mahloof and the President of the Tennis Association of Maldives, Ahmed Hafeez, details that the association will be responsible for the development and maintenance of the complex in Hulhumale', along with establishing and managing other related services on the grounds.

The agreement was signed with government dignitaries, members of the tennis association steering committee, tennis players and their parents in attendance.

Speaking at the event, Minister Mahloof said that the government affords special attention to developing critical sports infrastructure in the Maldives, and that plans are underway to work with different sports associations to achieve this goal.

Ahmed Nazeer, former president of the Tennis Association of Maldives, also spoke at the event, and expressed his joy at finally having secured the land to develop their Tennis Complex. Nazeer also highlighted the importance being given for sports development by the government, mentioning especially the support provided to sports by the current minister. He further advised all players and athletes to use the resources being prepared for them to their maximum effect.

The President of the Tennis Association of Maldives Ahmed Hafeez acknowledged the efforts being made by incumbent administration to further develop sports in the Maldives, expressing his gratitude for the president and sports minister.

He also focused on the other events and projects being planned by the Tennis Association for the new year, detailing efforts to bring veteran coaches from Europe to train Maldivian tennis players and help elevate their performance to the next level.

During a ceremony held to inaugurate the table tennis hall and the national martial arts centre located at Hulhumalé Mini Sports Complex back in December, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih stressed that his administration’s policy on sports development “lies in the development of sports infrastructure”.