Male' Maldives: Football Association of Maldives (FAM) has begun to make arrangements to host a training camp for the Palestinian under-17 national football team as part of their preparations for the upcoming AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers.
The ongoing conflict in Palestine has prevented the team from training and playing matches at home, prompting the Palestinian Football Association to request support from other nations. This time, they have turned to the Maldives for assistance.
Following the request, FAM decided in a recent governing body meeting to seek support from the Government of Maldives in order to facilitate the camp.
The training camp is planned for 8 to 19 November, with two friendly matches to be played between the Maldives U-17 team and the Palestinian side.
In its press release, FAM stated, “The Palestinian Football Association has requested help from FAM to organise the two friendly matches for the Palestine U-17 national team, which is competing in the AFC Asian Cup under-17. Therefore, government assistance is being sought to make the necessary arrangements.”
Earlier today, FAM held a meeting with Sports Minister Abdulla Rafiu (Raappe) to seek government support in organizing the training camp for Palestine’s U-17 national football team. Minister Rafiu pledged his full backing, acknowledged the scale of preparations needed, and confirmed that further discussions will take place in the coming days to advance the plan.
Maldives previously hosted Palestine’s senior national team during the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup, where local fans turned out in large numbers to show support. FAM has highlighted the same spirit of solidarity as preparations begin to welcome the Palestinian U-17 team.
