Venkatesh B Iyer
NEW DELHI, August 29: The resolution to readmit Maldives to the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) was re-approved paving the way for its participation in Birmingham games in 2022, the Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced.
He said on Friday that Maldives received written confirmation from the President of CGF Dame Louise Martin marking, “a very happy day for Maldivian sporting” and in a tweet mentioned, “Our thanks to all member countries that supported our readmission”. With this, the president also fulfilled one of his electoral pledges of re-joining the Commonwealth.
The Maldives since 1986 was an active member of the Commonwealth Games. It, however, opted to remain out in 2016 in protest against some Commonwealth countries “interfering in their domestic affairs and dispensing unfair and unjust treatment.” The choice was taken during the tenure of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
In a report published in the Edition, Maldives had participated in the 2014 Commonwealth Games at Glasgow, Scotland, but stayed out in 2018 games in Australia’s Gold Coast.
The Commonwealth Games with, the participation of 54 members are held every four years and is one of the most important sporting events of the planet. Approximately 4,000 athletes participate in the 261 events spanning 18 sports.
Following Maldives exit from the Commonwealth, CGF’s President Martin had been encouraging Maldivian athletes and had expressed hopes of restoration, stating that the previous incumbent’s decision to go away and not participate in the Commonwealth had a political hue.
The CGF has incessantly lifted the spirit of Maldivian athletes during these years and is providing training opportunities and backing up by hiring coaches for various teams.
Returning to the Commonwealth was one of the important electoral pledges of President Solih’s party. The decision to re-apply for membership was taken within a week of the government coming back to power. Maldives’ reintegration into the Commonwealth was officially announced, on February 1, 2020.
Meanwhile, the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games organiser have begun searching for locations for competing nations to line up their training camp as a part of the build-up to the event. The event will commence on July 28 and culminate on August 8, 2022, and around 6,500 sportspersons and officials are expected to participate.