The commencement of work on the highly anticipated international-class surfing stadium at Raalhugandu area in the capital Male’ has been delayed due to a significant redesign, Minister of Sports, Fitness, and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu has announced.
The project, initially planned as a pre-fabricated structure, will now be constructed from concrete and will be 50 feet larger than originally designed.
Addressing a press conference at the President's Office, Minister Rafiu explained that the delay was necessary to ensure the long-term viability of the facility.
"The start of the surfing stadium was delayed due to the larger design and conversion to a concrete structure," he explained.
The decision was made following extensive consultations with the Surfing Association of Maldives and the Maldives Bodyboarding Association, and was driven by expert technical advice.
A primary factor in the redesign is Raalhugandu's harsh marine environment. The Minister noted that a pre-fabricated structure in the salt-affected area would have incurred substantially higher maintenance costs. The shift to a concrete build is a strategic move to develop the facility in a more durable and cost-effective manner.
Despite the initial setback, the project timeline remains on track. The contract has been awarded to the original contractor, China’s Rotime Engineering and Technology Corporation, with which the ministry signed an agreement on 18 April 2024. Minister Rafiu confirmed that the new drawings are complete and expressed confidence that practical work on the site will begin before the end of the month, with the original completion date unchanged.
The redevelopment of the Raalhugandu area, which began with the demolition of the Bridge View platform last November, is a key initiative to position the Maldives as a host for major international surfing tournaments.
The new stadium is slated to include a spectator area, rostrum, media area, commentary box, camera deck, observation corner, gym, multipurpose hall, and conference rooms. Its completion is expected to provide world-class facilities for international competitions and significantly boost the development of water sports in the nation.