Dhiraagu has partnered with Special Olympics Maldives to roll out a regional inclusive sports development programme in Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo, strengthening efforts to empower children and youth with intellectual disabilities through structured sport and community engagement.
The six-month programme, the first of its kind at the regional level, will target up to 60 athletes and their families in Thinadhoo. Weekly training sessions will be delivered under the globally recognised Special Olympics Fit5 curriculum, which focuses on physical fitness, nutrition, hydration, adaptive sports training, and active family participation.
Beyond athlete development, the initiative places strong emphasis on long-term sustainability by supporting the training of local coaches and volunteers. This community-based approach is designed to embed inclusive sports practices at the grassroots level and ensure continuity beyond the programme’s initial rollout.
Chairperson of Special Olympics Maldives, Ibrahim Rameez, said initiatives supported by Dhiraagu have played a critical role in expanding access to inclusive sport across the country. He noted that Maldivian athletes with disabilities are now representing the nation and achieving success on international platforms, adding that the Thinadhoo programme would further strengthen nationwide inclusion efforts.
Dhiraagu Director of Brand and Marketing Communications, Mirshan Hassan, said the initiative builds on the company’s long-standing commitment to inclusive sport. He stressed that access to opportunities supporting children’s growth and wellbeing remains central to Dhiraagu’s community investment strategy, with the partnership aiming to empower local communities while strengthening advocacy for inclusion.
Dhiraagu has championed disability-inclusive sports for more than eight years through the Dhiraagu Special Sports Festival held in Malé’. The company says the Thinadhoo programme reflects its broader mission to create meaningful social impact, promote equality, and uplift communities across the Maldives through sustainable initiatives.
