Thulusdhoo, Maldives (August 18): The Asian Surfing Championship opens with a grand event at Thulusdhoo for the second year in a row.
This year’s competition is particularly intense, as it serves as a qualifier for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Over 100 athletes from 20 nations are expected to participate, including two teams from the Maldives, with one of them representing Team Thulusdhoo.
The grand opening ceremony took place at the K. Atoll Education Centre hall, where the event was immersed in traditional and cultural themes, warmly welcoming participants in a traditional style.
Minister of Sports Abdulla Rafiu (Raappe) attended the event and emphasized its significance, noting how it will boost sports tourism in the Maldives. He extended his best wishes to the Maldivian athletes
Mohamed Sobah (Chey), President of the Maldives Surfing Association (MSA), expressed hope that two Maldivian athletes will secure spots for the Asian Games. He also noted that this year's competition has attracted a higher caliber of surfers compared to last year.
The Asian Surfing Championship is scheduled to last for a week, with the opening ceremony and the event serving as a significant highlight for the Asian surfing community and its culture. Each participating nation contributed a portion of soil from their respective countries as a symbol of the competition's memorabilia.
The Thulusdhoo Council and Thulusdhoo Surfing Association are playing a crucial role in supporting the Maldives Surfing Association in successfully hosting the continent's largest surfing competition. The Sports Ministry is also providing essential assistance.
