Hulhumalé Track to Get International-Standard Upgrade

Work to upgrade the synthetic athletics track in Hulhumalé to a World Athletics-compliant polyurethane (PU) track is scheduled to begin in October, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness Abdulla Rafiu has announced.

Speaking at the “Ahaa” forum, the Minister said the existing Hulhumalé track does not meet the standards required for official recognition of athletes’ performances and records.

Under World Athletics regulations, performances achieved on tracks that meet the organisation’s certification requirements can be considered for official recognition. The Minister said upgrading the facility is therefore essential to provide Maldivian athletes with a venue where their performances can be officially recorded.

The Minister explained that two different types of synthetic tracks are currently being used in the Malé area. The track at Maafannu Stadium is a spray-foam track, while the existing track in Hulhumalé is a sandwich-type track.

He said neither facility currently provides the standard required for the country to host athletes seeking officially recognised performances.

According to the Minister, the Hulhumalé project will involve a complete replacement of both the existing synthetic surface and its underlying base before the new PU track is installed.

“The existing material and the base have to be completely replaced to lay a new track,” the Minister said, adding that the work is scheduled to commence on October 1 and is targeted for completion by January next year.

The Minister also confirmed that the materials required for the project have already been ordered, while the detailed architectural drawings for the upgraded facility have been completed.

The development is expected to strengthen athletics infrastructure in the Maldives and provide athletes with a facility designed in line with international standards.

A certified athletics track is particularly important for Maldivian athletes seeking to compete at international level, as performances recorded on compliant facilities can be used for official purposes where other eligibility requirements are also met.

The upgrade forms part of broader efforts to improve sporting infrastructure in the Maldives and provide athletes with better facilities for training and competition.