Minister of Sports, Fitness, and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu held a key meeting on Wednesday with Dr Zafar Iqbal, Head of Sports Medicine at Premier League club Arsenal, to explore ways to advance sports medicine practices in the Maldives.
Dr Iqbal, who brings decades of experience working with elite football clubs including Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Crystal Palace, shared professional insights on athlete care, injury prevention, and rehabilitation protocols. The discussion focused on how these best practices could be adapted to benefit Maldivian athletes and sports professionals.
Minister Rafiu, himself a former medic for the national football team and a qualified sports medicine practitioner, underscored the importance of strengthening athlete health and recovery systems as the Maldives continues to invest in professional sports development. He expressed particular interest in collaborating with Dr Iqbal on programs to enhance rehabilitation and reduce sports-related injuries.
The meeting reflects the Ministry’s broader push to build international partnerships in sports development. In May this year, Minister Rafiu also met with representatives from Liverpool FC to discuss plans for establishing a Liverpool Football Academy in the Maldives. The proposed academy aims to create opportunities for local players to receive world-class training, both domestically and at facilities in the United Kingdom.
Dr Iqbal, who joined Arsenal as Head of Sports Medicine in February 2024, is widely recognized in the field for his contributions to athlete performance and injury management. His visit and engagement with the Maldivian government mark a significant step toward integrating global sports medicine standards into local athletic programs.
The Ministry of Sports, Fitness, and Recreation is expected to continue these high-level discussions as part of its mission to elevate the quality and competitiveness of Maldivian sports on the international stage.
