Dhiraagu and Special Olympics Maldives Join Forces to Launch Inclusive Regional Sports Programme in G.Dh. Thinadhoo

Dhiraagu has announced a strategic partnership with Special Olympics Maldives to launch a landmark regional sports development programme in G.Dh. Thinadhoo, bringing structured, inclusive sporting opportunities to children and young people with intellectual disabilities in the region for the first time.

Special Olympics International is a globally recognised movement dedicated to transforming lives through the power of sport, with Special Olympics Maldives serving as its national affiliate and playing a vital role in advancing inclusion and equal sporting opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities across the country.

A Six-Month Programme Built for Impact

The first regional programme will be implemented in G.Dh. Thinadhoo and is set to run for a period of six months, targeting up to 60 athletes and their families through weekly training sessions delivered using the internationally recognised Special Olympics Fit5 curriculum. This holistic and community-based programme covers a comprehensive range of areas including physical fitness, nutrition, hydration, adaptive sports training, and active family wellness engagement. The programme will also invest in the development of local coaches and volunteers, ensuring that the initiative creates lasting impact and remains sustainable well beyond the initial six-month period.

Voices From the Partnership

Ibrahim Rameez, Chairperson of Special Olympics Maldives, highlighted the significance of the collaboration and the progress already made in advancing inclusive sport in the Maldives. "The Dhiraagu Special Sports Festival has played a vital role in promoting inclusion and equality in sports. Today, Maldivian athletes with disabilities are proudly representing the nation and achieving success on prestigious international platforms. Initiatives such as the Dhiraagu Special Sports Festival have meaningfully contributed to expanding inclusive sporting opportunities, and we believe that our partnership with Dhiraagu through this initiative in G.Dh. Thinadhoo will further strengthen and extend these efforts nationwide," he said.

Mirshan Hassan, Director of Brand and Marketing Communications at Dhiraagu, reaffirmed the company's belief in the transformative power of inclusive sport. "Building on our long-standing commitment to inclusive sport, this programme reflects our belief that every child deserves access to opportunities that support their growth and wellbeing. By working closely with Special Olympics Maldives, we aim to support sustainable programmes that empower local communities and strengthen advocacy for inclusion," she said.

A Legacy of Inclusion

Dhiraagu's commitment to inclusive sport is not new. The company has championed inclusion through the Dhiraagu Special Sports Festival in Malé for over eight years, creating a celebrated platform that has helped Maldivian athletes with disabilities develop their skills, build confidence, and compete at the highest levels. The new regional programme in Thinadhoo marks an exciting extension of this legacy, taking the spirit of the festival beyond the capital and into the atolls, where its impact can reach even more athletes and families who deserve the same opportunities.

Dhiraagu remains steadfastly committed to supporting initiatives that create meaningful social impact, champion inclusion, and empower individuals across the Maldives, in line with its ongoing mission to connect and uplift communities from one end of the nation to the other.