Efforts are now underway to redevelop Hulhumale’ Synthetic Track to meet international standards.
According to the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness, the track will get a complete makeover to meet the standards and requirements the main international athletics body demands. This includes transforming the running track to a polyurethane (PU) one.
In September, the minister affirmed all necessary pre-development arrangements have already been made. He said the government has already completed the detailed drawings of the track and procured necessary material required for the upgrade.
The Minister of Youth, Abdulla Rafiu further said that the records set by athletes at the track is not recognized as the track itself is not up to the internationally required standards. He added that post the upgrades, this issue will get a permanent solution.
The minister confirmed this while speaking at the “Ahaa” public interactive forum. As per guidelines of World Athletics, the global governing body of the sports, national or individual records set by athletes are only officially recognized if achieved on certified tracks.
The track was developed in 2017 during former President Abdulla Yameen’s administration. A Chinese developer was contracted through Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL) for the project.