Ahmed Tariq (Tom), President of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM), has stated that the situation regarding the land given by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) for the construction of a football school has been handled very poorly, and he will work to reclaim that land. In an interview given to PSM after being elected as the new president of FAM, Tariq said that while the land freely given to FAM by HDC has been subsequently subleased in various ways, complete information about this matter is not available. However, Tariq said he will obtain the documents and examine how the land matters have proceeded, and will work to recover the money that should be received from these lands.
In additiond from these lands.
In addition to the Hulhumale land, Tariq said that the matters concerning the land where a warehouse has been built at the Maafannu Stadium have also not been handled properly, and he will begin work to clarify how things have transpired there and resolve the issues with FAM’s lands. Tariq also said he will clarify the amounts of money that FAM has been ordered to pay to various parties, and if there is any money that does not need to be paid through the courts, he will advocate for that. He added that he will work to find solutions by consulting with parties to whom money needs to be paid, seek easier ways for FAM to pay off debts, and strengthen FAM’s administration.
Tariq said that FAM will proceed by disclosing information that needs to be shared through their website and media, and will also communicate necessary announcements to clubs on a daily basis in a transparent and robust manner. While the agreement for the land given to the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) in Hulhumale for football development in 2022 has been cancelled, the Normalization Committee has requested to reinstate the headlease agreement. The Normalization Committee has expressed concern and requested the reinstatement of the headlease agreement, as the loss of such land allocated for football purposes is a significant loss for the sport.
HDC has terminated the agreement as the money was not being paid according to the agreement, while the land was subleased and money collected, with a large amount not deposited into FAM’s account. In 2022, a 230,000 square foot plot was allocated for football development, and an agreement was made between FAM and HDC, which FAM later amended. FAM had decided to sublease 28,000 square feet of the land given to FAM in Hulhumale for commercial purposes.
The agreement term was extended to 40 years, with FAM required to pay HDC rent at a rate of 10 rufiyaa per square foot for the subleased area. While plots of this land have been leased to 15 parties, FAM states that these subleases were made without any benefit to FAM, without announcement or bidding. Some plots were leased for 25 years, while others for 40 years, and FAM also states that some sublease terms exceed the headlease period.
