Male' Maldives: Women’s football has officially returned to the Maldives after more than a decade, with the launch of the FAM Women’s Football League 2025 marking a major milestone in reviving the women’s game nationwide.
The last time the Maldives hosted an 11-a-side women’s football tournament was in 2014, making this year’s league a significant step forward for the sport.
The initiative comes under the leadership of Ahmed Thariq (Tom), who was elected President of the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) in July.
Former National Football team forward, Thariq previously pledged to strengthen and elevate women’s football in the country, and the introduction of the new league demonstrates FAM’s renewed commitment to fulfilling that promise.
In a move aimed at ensuring a strong and sustainable foundation for the competition, FAM announced that each participating club will receive MVR 100,000 in financial support, a grant made possible through FIFA’s continued assistance for women’s football development.
“This contribution reflects FAM’s dedication to enhancing player development and raising the standard of the league,” FAM said in a statement, expressing gratitude to FIFA for its ongoing partnership and support.
A total of six teams are competing in the revived league: Maziya Sports & Recreation, New Radiant Sports Club, TC Sports Club, Victory Sports Club, Odi Sports Club, and Biss Buru Sports Club, the latter representing the second tier. The league has also welcomed foreign players from Uzbekistan, Thailand, and Nepal, adding further competitiveness and international flavour to the tournament.
With each team playing two matches so far, the league has already generated significant excitement, signalling the long-awaited return of women’s domestic football enthusiasm in the Maldives.
The current standings show a tightly contested table, with Odi Sports Club leading on goal difference, followed closely by Victory Sports Club, New Radiant, and Maziya, all four teams level on points. Biss Buru and TC Sports Club sit at the bottom after losing their opening two fixtures.
The launch of the FAM Women’s Football League marks a fresh chapter for women’s football in the Maldives, one defined by renewed investment, greater opportunities, and growing momentum for the sport’s future.
