Ali Thameem
Hulhumale’ Veterans, defending champions of FAM Veteran’s League, has been defeated by Villimale United in this year’s opening game yesterday.
The match saw just one goal; scored in the second half by Ahmed Riznee of Villimale’, capitalizing on a rebound ball in front of the goal.
This year’s league will continue through to the last week of Ramadan, with the final match to be played on 27th March. Semifinals are scheduled for the 24th and 25th.
The FAM Veteran’s league, organized in collaboration with Event Maldives, is dedicated to players above the age of forty.
Speaking to ‘Roadha Kulhivaru’ program by Television Maldives, coach Mohamed Nizam explained the reason for lifting the players’ eligibility benchmark from 35 to 40 years of age.
“Until 2022, the league was played by players above forty with each club allowed to list up to three players between ages 35 to 40. At the time we noticed that some 37-year-olds, for instance, were still at the top of their game. Therefore we changed the criteria (so as to make it a league strictly for players above 40). And instantly we noticed that the league got more competitive”.
In 2024 Hulhumale’ Veterans lifted the trophy for the third consecutive time
Hulhumale’ defeated Muiveyo Friends 3-4 on penalties in the final last year, after normal time ended goalless.
Tomorrow’s game of the league – Muiveyo vs Da Grande – will kick off at 16:30pm, which is the standard time for all games of the league to kick off.
In addition to Hulhumale’, Villimale’, Muiveyo and Da Grande, the participating teams in this year’s league include Dhivehi Sifainge Club, Zelot, Stelco, Eagles and Hurriyya.
