President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has tonight observed a friendly volleyball match played between the national teams of Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The match was held at the Social Centre with a large amount of Maldivian and Sri Lankan spectators coming together at the venue to watch the match in the spirit of international friendship. The Sri Lankan team was successful on this occasion, winning 3 sets to 1.

The President also presented a special Award of Appreciation from the Maldives Volleyball Association to Mr Ahmed Abdul Kareem, a former member of the Maldives National Volleyball Team. The 'Shield' was awarded to Mr Kareem to commemorate his countless contributions to the sport, and the President also signed Mr Kareem's jersey from the recent Indian Ocean Island Games.

The Sri Lankan National Volleyball team is currently visiting the Maldives at the invitation of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment. The aforementioned friendly match was played in preparation for the upcoming Central Zone Competition, due to be held in Nepal.