Renovation work has commenced on the Hulhumale' synthetic track to bring the facility up to international standards.
The Youth Ministry said that as part of the renovation, the track will be upgraded to a Polyurethane (PU) surface that meets the requirements of World Athletics, the global governing body for the sport.
During the "Ahaa" forum held last month, Minister Abdulla Rafiu confirmed that all necessary materials for the renovation have been ordered and the detailed architectural drawings for the project have been finalised.
Rafiu previously noted that because the current synthetic track in Hulhumale' does not meet international specifications, records set by athletes at the venue are not officially recognised. He assured that the upcoming renovations would resolve this issue.
The project involves a complete replacement of the synthetic material on the track, with a completion deadline set for January next year.
The synthetic track in Hulhumale' was developed in 2017 during President Abdulla Yameen’s administration, through the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) and a Chinese contractor.
A separate synthetic track was established in Male' in 2021 during President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration, a project conducted with the assistance of the Indian government.
