Football Association of Maldives has finalized the groups and fixtures of the upcoming Dhiraagu under 13 academy championship 2018. The draw was taken last night in an event held at the FA house in which captains from participating academies were presented.

It is for the first time in Maldives that a competitive official tournament is going to be held for under 13 age group boys among the academies. There is already interschool under 14 tournament, but unlike inter school, this tournament is mainly targeted for those players are younger to participate in under 14 interschool.

The aim of this great initiate by Football Association of Maldives is to give a platform to those rising young talents to showcase their talent and enjoy the game of football in a wide competitive environment.

FAM has already launched their long term development program  “towards future” to find and develop the new football generation of the nation and this tournament is also under the same objective. Dhiraagu is onboard with Football Association of Maldives to support in the great cause as Dhiraagu is the main sponsor for the championship.

In this very first tournament of its kind, total 8 academies will be taking part. Eagles Football Academy, Maziya Academy, Maldives Soccer Mates, Hulhumale’ Sports School, AM Sports Academy, MS Helping Hand Academy, BG Sports Academy, and Early Touch Football Academy.

As in tournament format there will be two rounds of action. In the first round 8 participating team will be playing against each other. And in the second round (final round), the top 5 teams from first round will be competing each other separate from the bottom 4 of first round while bottom four competes each other.

Dhiraagu under 13 academy championship 2018 is set to kick off on this 7^th July, Saturday and will be going on till 13^th October. Tournament matches will be played in the FAM newly opened mini turf pitch. With the wise decision by FAM, this tournament matches is scheduled to play during the weekends to not to interrupt the studying schedule and school routines of the players.

In the championship opening match, Maziya Academy will be meeting Eagles Football Academy on 7^th July, Saturday, 16:30 hrs.