Grassroots and Youth Football Festival Kicks Off in Laamu Fonadhoo
Fonadhoo, Laamu Atoll — 20 August 2026: The Grassroots and Youth Football Festival officially kicked off today at the Baraaseel Football Ground in Laamu Fonadhoo, bringing together young footballers, coaches, parents and supporters for three days of football, fun and community engagement.
Organised by Maattey Sports as part of its Building Resilient and Inclusive Communities project, the festival aims to provide children with an opportunity to enjoy competitive football in a safe, inclusive and positive environment while encouraging healthy lifestyles, teamwork and community participation.
The festival features 12 teams across the Under-9 and Under-13 categories, with approximately 180 young players and team officials taking part. Participating teams represent football academies from Laamu Fonadhoo, Gan and Maamendhoo, providing the young players with an opportunity to meet and compete against peers from other islands in the atoll.
The opening day saw enthusiastic participation from players and strong support from parents and the local community. Matches are being played at the Baraaseel Football Ground during the afternoon, with the festival continuing through Friday.
The festival will conclude on Saturday, 22 August, with the final matches and closing ceremony scheduled to begin at 3:45pm. The closing programme will recognise the achievements of the participating teams and players and celebrate their commitment, sportsmanship and enthusiasm throughout the festival.
Speaking about the festival, Maattey Sports highlighted the importance of creating regular opportunities for children to participate in organised sport and to develop not only their football abilities but also values such as teamwork, discipline, respect and fair play.
The Grassroots and Youth Football Festival is the final major activity under Maattey Sports’ Building Resilient and Inclusive Communities project, supported through funding from the Maldives Pension Administration Office.
The festival is also supported by partners and members of the local community who have contributed towards making the event possible.
With football taking centre stage, the three-day festival is expected to provide a memorable experience for the young participants while strengthening the foundations for grassroots football development in Laamu Atoll.
