Malé, Maldives: Football Association of Maldives (FAM) has finalized the start date for the new season, confirming it will begin on February 14, with the first major competition, the Presidents Cup, set to kick off three days later.
December 19 marks exactly one year since the last top-tier football match was played in the Maldives, making this the longest break between football seasons in the history of Maldivian football.
Initially, FAM circulated a draft season calendar to clubs, which proposed a start date of January 24. It’s important to note that FAM has been operating under a normalization committee appointed by FIFA since mid-August.
This draft was circulated to gather feedback and allow for adjustments. After reviewing the responses, FAM decided to push the season's start to February 14.
The season opener will feature the Charity Shield match between Dhivehi Premier League champions Maziya Sports & Recreation and runner-up Club Eagles.
Maziya began their pre-season training on November 27, but with uncertainty about the start date, they paused their preparations. Now that the calendar is finalized, they will resume their pre-season ahead of the new season.
As in previous years, the first competition of the top tier will be the Presidents Cup, which is scheduled to begin on February 17.
Important dates from the season calendar:
Feb 14: Charity Shield Match
Feb 17: Presidents Cup
April 8: Dhivehi Premier League
May 31: FAM Third Division Football Tournament
July 12: FA Cup
July 18: FAM Second Division Football Tournament
