Time for preparation – Minister

Feb 13, 2014 - 10:05:56 | Shimaz Ali
Youth and Sports Minister, Maleeh speaking to the media yesterday at Paradise Island Resort

Male’, MALDIVES – Minister of Youth and Sports Mohamed Maleeh Jamaal has said that it’s the time for the Maldivians to prepare for the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup.

Speaking at a press conference held at Paradise Island Resort and Spa just after the official draw ceremony of AFC Challenge Cup, Maleeh said that the Maldivians has witnessed that the host nation of this tournament is Maldives.

“We all witnessed that the host nation of this tournament is Maldives and it’s a long and difficult process. But we are happy to get the hosting rights of the tournament.”

“I would like to thank the president of the Maldives Hon. Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom for helping us to host the tournament.”

Minister also said that they have formed a committee to organize the tournament.

“We have formed a committee to organize this tournament. We will work as a team to make this a success.”

“The money spent on this tournament is not a waste, with this we can propose to host other tournaments”

Minister also reiterated that the ministry will help the Football Association of Maldives to prepare the national team for this tournament.

“We are working not only to host the tournament but we want a good result in this tournament and the ministry will help the FAM to prepare the national team.”

“I hope that we can sort the bonuses that we are giving to the national team players next month. We are working on that issue at the moment.”

Maldives lies in the group A along with Palestine, Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar. Turkmenistan, Philippines, Afghanistan and Laos lies in the group B.

Maldives will play the opening game against Myanmar in the opening match of the tournament on 19th May.

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hussain on Feb 13
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well said minister.. we need to work as a team to make this a success.. and also we need to get a good result in this tournament... hopefully we can do magic in this tournament.
Imma on Feb 13
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help us get a coach. Philippines and Myanmar needed less than 2 weeks to appoint a new coach, it has been almost 4 months since we last had one.
footballmad on Feb 14
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dreams need effort. Let's state the obvious: We could easily land at the bottom of this tournament if: ) we don't get a coach within the next few days ) we don't have an organised programme of friendlies as preparation ) we don't get the fans engaged; after all, as one of the smaller football nations, the fans will play a significant part.
Anil on Feb 20
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We are not going to get a good result in this tournament. The FAM has failed yet again in preparation. Yes I want my national team to win but let's be realistic. Our FA has failed to land a coach, have failed to get any international games for preparation. Yes I know we played against Seychelles but hey, we got the chance to play against Iran and India which was declined by our FA. No ambition at all.

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