Ali Suzain, the experienced coach of New Radiant Sports Club, has stated that Maziya Sports and Recreation could be considered the ventilator while Maldivian football is in a critical state in the ICU. Speaking to journalists about the ongoing Dhiraagu Dhivehi Premier League, Suzain said he believes that the teams competing in the league are excellent teams. He noted that there are about seven strong teams, which he described as formidable opponents. Suzain said that among the teams competing in this tournament, there isn’t a single team that would make opponents retreat and play defensively, indicating that this will be a competitive tournament.
“I don’t believe at all that there might be two or three teams, or else there are about seven very strong teams in this league. So, I don’t think teams will retreat and play defensively just because it’s New Radiant or Maziya. Different matches will have different strategies. However, I don’t believe they will play that way. The league seems more competitive this time,” Suzain said. Looking at the teams competing in the tournament, Suzain noted that Odds Sports Club appears to be distinctively strong. He also mentioned that Maziya is a club that continued to play consistently even during the dark days of Maldivian football. Suzain said that Maziya could be considered the ventilator when Maldivian football’s condition deteriorated and was in the ICU. He highlighted that even the national team was sustained through Maziya’s efforts. Suzain also noted that BG Sports team is a very hardworking and strong team, and therefore, this league will showcase excellent teams.
“From what we can see, Odds appears distinctively strong, Maziya has been consistently playing for the past three years. Let’s consider Maziya as the ventilator when Maldivian football was in the ICU. It must be said that even the national team was sustained through Maziya’s efforts. Because Maziya continued without interruption, the national team was barely sustained then. So, looking at it that way, the teams are very strong this time,” Suzain said. He stated that he believes there will be strong matches in the Dhiraagu Dhivehi Premier League. Therefore, Suzain noted that New Radiant will also work to play excellent matches and keep up with the other teams. Suzain said that with this tournament, all teams are working to bring back the enthusiasm that football once had. He believes that if the league’s excitement is revived, it will breathe new life into Maldivian football.
After a dark period for Maldivian football and a long time without a league, the Dhiraagu Dhivehi Premier League, where the top 10 teams in the Maldives compete, began on the 18th of this month. As this tournament continues until February 5th of next year, it will be a joyous occasion for Maldivian football supporters.
