Education Minister Dr. Aishath Shiham has said that the Sports Scholarship Programme has increased student participation in sporting activities.
The Education Ministry introduced the scholarship programme in 2014 as part of the government’s efforts to develop talented athletes. It offers students opportunity to train under the guidance of the National Sports Association of Maldives.
The Sports Scholarship Programme is an ambitious effort targeted at developing skilled young Maldivian sportspeople with a well-rounded education. Under the programme, scholarships have so far been awarded to 12 students in football, athletics and badminton.
Some of the students are pursuing studies in schools in Male’ City while two them have won the opportunity to study and enhance their sporting skills in Botswana. All academic costs of students who have been awarded scholarships will be provided by the Government.
In 2014, the government also introduced an award to acknowledge the achievements of students in sporting activities.