Vice President Faisal Naseem has said that this Government had devoted special attention over the past two years to nurturing a generation of capable and enterprising youth. He made this statement this evening while speaking at the opening ceremony of the ‘Hulhumalé Billiard House', at Hulhumalé Sports Complex.

Speaking further, Vice President Faisal Naseem stated that as we celebrate our Republic Day today, we should remember the value of increasing the number of young Maldivians employed in managerial roles. He reiterated that the Government had invested considerable time and resources to youth development in the two years since President Solih assumed office. He strongly urged the youth of the Nation to apply themselves towards achieving their potential to become capable, hard-working and diligent citizens.

Prior to concluding his statement, the Vice President extended his gratitude to the tireless staff of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment for their pivotal role in promoting sports and developing youth in the country.

During the ceremony, Vice President Faisal Naseem made the opening break on a billiards game and participated in a friendly match with Aminath Fathy, the Maldives' top-ranked female billiards player.

The Vice President was accompanied at the event by the Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Ahmed Mahloof, High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, Shri Sunjay Sudhir and Hulhumalé constituency MP Ali Niyaz. Senior officials from the Maldives Pool and Billiards Association also joined the event.