Ex-Athletics Association Pres receives leadership award

Former President of the Maldives Athletics Association Mohamed Tholal has received the Asian Athletics Leadership Award conferred by the Asian Athletics Association.

Tholal received the award in recognition of his efforts in advancing athletics in the Maldives and for his contribution in the country's achievements in international athletics.

The former Athletics Association president was conferred with the award at the sidelines of the now ongoing Asian Athletics Congress 2025, held at South Korea.

Tholal was first elected as the association's president in 2012. He had been a long-time contributor to the Maldives athletics. In 2021, he had been the Vice President of the Maldives Olympic Committee as well.

Maldives achieved its first gold medal in an international athletics event under Tholal's leadership. Hassan Saaid secured first place in his respective event at the 2015 Indian Ocean Island Games.

Saaid would go on to break his own national record in 2019 and win gold medal at the South Asian Games. This marks the biggest achievement for the Maldives till date, and the first-ever gold medal win for the island nation at a South Asian Games event.

Tholal stepped down from the association's presidency after three consecutive terms in 2023 after he was appointed as the Commissioner of Sports.