Minister of Sports, Fitness, and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu has announced that the government plans to amend the Sports Act as part of its efforts to instill positive values in children through sports. He made the statement during the Holhufahi Awards ceremony in Holhudhoo, Noonu Atoll.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Rafiu praised Holhudhoo for producing individuals who have made the Maldives proud across various fields. He emphasised that sports play a crucial role in shaping behavior and instilling noble values in individuals. He also highlighted the government's commitment, through the sports ministry, to promoting good morals among children via sports.
Additionally, Minister Rafiu stressed the need to revise the Sports Act to involve the entire nation and decentralise sports. He outlined plans to integrate a school sports system within the education sector and provide training for sports instructors in schools. He said that the initiative would emphasise values such as cleanliness, punctuality, respect for others and elders, listening to coaches, teamwork, and the ability to handle both victory and defeat. He also said that he believes that sports can contribute to mental health and well-being.
Furthermore, Minister Rafiu expressed his belief that these values are essential in raising well-rounded individuals. He also aims to elevate sports to the same level of importance as other academic subjects in the Maldives.