Male' Maldives: Maldives football will not progress unless competitive seasons are played consistently each year, coach Mohamed Nizam (Nizambe) has said.
Nizambe took to social media to express his support for national football team captain Samooh Ali (Samutte), who recently stated that the team’s performance would improve once the domestic league resumes.
Having coached several first-division teams, Nizambe emphasized that clubs serve as the foundation for national team development. He noted that club coaches play a crucial role in conditioning players, as national team selections are largely based on club performances.
"I fully support what Samooh is saying. To take our football to the next level, we need five years of high-quality competitive seasons," said Nizambe, who led TC Sports Club to a league title and the Sheikh Kamal Cup in Bangladesh in 2017.
Nizambe further highlighted the need for a structured pathway for young players, ensuring they have opportunities to grow and contribute to the sport at a higher level.
"I'm sure we would see a stronger young team if we provide them with the right foundation. Right now, many talented young players risk being lost to the sport. We need to revive Maldivian football by allowing those with the right expertise to lead and develop it," he said.
The most recent first-division match in the country took place on December 19, 2023. Although FAM initially planned to begin the football season on April 8th, FIFA has instructed a delay in the restart to allow for the accumulation of the 2025/2026 season, which will now commence in August.
