Regional associations will have their voices heard in the FAM: Tom

Ahmed Thoriq (Tom), who was nominated in the running for FAM President today has stated that the regional associations he creates will have their opinions taken into deep consideration in FAM decisions.

The only candidate to be in the FAM Presidency running after having all member clubs of the FAM recommend him, Thoriq has said that once he takes his role in FAM, he will begin work on dividing Maldives into four zones and create associations for FAM purposes within the year.

"The work to create the associations will begin within the year. The work will include creating clubs based on the respective islands names, recommending them to the various relevant councils for approval and getting them registered on the Sports Commission Registry via FAM cooperation within the first year," said the Maldives National Football Team forward to Mihaaru in a phone interview conducted today.

Thoriq, with support from T.C. Sports Club, will be proposing amendments to the FAM constitution and will be receiving help from the club when proposing guidelines for creating the aforementioned four zones in Maldives as well. He proposed that four zones be designated for the creation of their respective associations. He said the four zones will be designated and created in line with the currently passed Sports Act.

However, FIFA representatives objected to the inclusion of the provisions in the constitution, Thorig said.

"FIFA said that we would create nine zones and that it was also put into the constitution. However, it did not come to pass and because of that, they have asked us to go through with what we are saying we will do and then, we will include your requests in the constitution," Thoriq said.

He has also stated that there will firstly be inter-zone tournaments versus the various islands that inhabit the atolls.

After playing the tournaments in that zone, there will be qualifying stages for the teams to join the Dhivehi Premier League.

"As an example, Mahibadhoo and Eydhafushi can compete for a spot on the Dhivehi Premier League after bolstering their team with three promising Brazilian players of their choosing. The Male' team can play at Mahibadhoo and Eydhafushi and vice versa, in a home and away situation," Thoriq said as an example.

1. North Regional Football Association of Maldives: Haa, Haa Dhaalu, Shaviyani, Noonu, Raa, Baa, Lhaviyani, Kulhudhuffushi City)

2. Central Regional Football Association of Maldives: Kaafu, Alifu Alifu, Alifu Dhaalu, Vaavu, Meemu, Faafu, Dhaalu

3. South Regional Football Association of Maldives: Thaa, Laamu, Gaafu Alifu, Gaafu Dhaalu, Thinadhoo City, Fuvahmulah City, Addu City

4. Male' Regional Football Association of Maldives: Male' City Clubs, Division Two Clubs, Division Three Clubs

The FAM election will be held on 26th July 2025. The new constitution, which was passed on 17th June 2025, saw those responsible for creating the sub-association elevated to ExCo.