It was the 8th India assisted project in the island country to be completed in the last six months

Maldivian President Ibrahim on Saturday inaugurated Ekuveni synthetic running track and cricket ground in Male, the first India-funded project to be launched this year and overall, the 8th India assisted project in the island country to be completed in the last six months.

As per a press release issued by Indian High Commission in Male, work on the Ekuveni running track and cricket ground started in September 2020 and has been “steered and executed by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment in record time. A groundbreaking ceremony for the project was held on November 09, 2020 by Sports Minister Ahmed Mahloof and Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla.”

The Ekuveni running track is the only track of international standards in the Maldives. It is a landmark open space in the capital city of Male’ which has been used by sportsmen and professional athletes to conduct sporting events and host sports tournaments.

It attracts fitness-enthusiasts in Male’ for jogging, exercise and other athletic pursuits. The newly-laid state-of-the-art running track is designed to make the space more suited for exercise, sports and athletic events and will equally benefit sports professionals and the residents of Male’.

The Ekuveni project forms part of a larger set of 30 High-Impact Community Development projects that are being implemented across the islands of the Maldives, with a total financial outlay of US $ 13 million from India.

The list of projects completed under Indian assistance includes the ‘Convention Centre in Ukulhas’, installation of Streetlights in Kolhufushi, development of Vaani Police Centre, providing ‘Vehicles and machinery’ to the Male’ City council, Goidhoo-Fehendhoo school ferry, providing equipment for setting up outdoor gyms on 61 islands and 67 Children’s Parks spread across the Atolls.

“Over the next 2-3 months, India looks forward to the inauguration of Rasdhoo Coastal protection project, Wetland Park in Faresmathoda, a refurbished ‘My Home -Fiyavathi’ orphanage in Hulhumale’, Central Park and renovated Jetty in Hulhumale’, classrooms in Lhohi and Kinolhas schools,” the Indian High Commission said in the statement.

With a special focus on development of Addu city, India is also assisting in setting up 3 fish-processing plants, 5 eco-tourism zones and a Drug-Detoxification Centre in Addu. In the northern islands, India’s grant assistance includes setting up a bottled-water plant in Hoarafushi, and a soil-testing lab at the Hanimaadhoo Agricultural Research Centre.

High-impact community projects undertaken through Indian grant assistance constitute an important dimension of the dynamic development partnership between India and the Maldives.

They involve a high-level of community participation and create an impact in the areas of livelihood and income generation, health, education, gender and child empowerment, sports, and sustainable development.

This development partnership is further distinguished by its transparent and participative nature and an inherent flexibility to perfectly complement requirements of the local community and the thrust of the government on decentralization.