Maldives First Division Clubs Coaches met couple of days ago to discuss their salary issues due to Covid-19 halt of football activities in the Capital city, Male'.

They told the media that they are planning to request for an appointment to meet the President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to address their salary issues.

One of them told Boalha.Mv, that they are entitled to get a part of their salary from the budget of Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment.

However Sports Minister Mahloof told the media that due to covid-19, government has reduced their budget, several times.
But the coaches said that they are aware that Ministry is giving salary to National Team players. Therefore they believe they should be given too.

Due to the out break of Covid-19 in Male' city, Health Protection Agency (HPA) halted all the sports activities since February 2020. However in atolls all kinds of sports activities are on going.

Maldives Coaches expressed their concerns regarding their salaries. One of them  said "there are Covid situation worse countries than Maldives, but still allowed to do football activities".

Another coach said "Since February we are not able to start our practices. There are some 300 families rely on football and their income is halted, we have been discussing the issue with authorities, but no action has been taken so far, therefore we would like to meet president in person and raise our concerns."

"If government doesn't recognize Football as a profession, football will not have a future in this country" another coach said. Maaziya Sports and Recitation club said.  Some of them also mentioned that they are eligible but due to the formalities guildlines coaches and football players are unable to apply for the government's Covid-19 Economic Relief Package as well.