For decades, football in the Maldives has been administered through a highly centralized system, with most major decisions, competitions and development initiatives coordinated from the Football Association of Maldives (FAM) headquarters in Malé.

While this model has overseen the country’s growth on the international stage, clubs and football communities across the atolls have long argued that local football has lacked representation, resources and opportunities.

That landscape is now set to change.

In what could become one of the most significant governance reforms in the history of Maldivian football, FAM has approved the establishment of four regional football associations, laying the foundation for a decentralized system that places greater responsibility, and greater opportunity in the hands of football communities across the country.

The decision was endorsed during the FAM Executive Committee’s Ordinary Congress, where members approved the formation of the North Region Football Association, Central Region Football Association, Malé Region Football Association and South Region Football Association.

While the announcement may appear to be an administrative adjustment, its implications extend far beyond football governance. If successfully implemented, the reform could fundamentally reshape how football is organized, developed and managed across the Maldives.

Moving Football Beyond Malé

For years, one of the most persistent criticisms of Maldivian football has been its concentration in the capital. Clubs from the atolls have often faced financial and logistical barriers to participating in competitive football, while local associations have had limited influence over decisions affecting their own regions.

The creation of regional football associations is intended to address those concerns by shifting greater decision-making authority to the regions themselves.

According to FAM General Secretary Ahmed Zareer, the Executive Committee’s approval marks only the beginning of a much broader transformation.

“This is the foundation of decentralizing Maldivian football,” Zareer told Maldivesoccer.

“The next phase is establishing the governance framework of each association and conducting elections. The islands within each region will decide who leads their association and how football is managed in their area.”

Initially, FAM will provide financial assistance to help the associations become operational. Over time, however, the objective is for each regional body to become financially sustainable through its own competitions, partnerships and commercial activities.

Redefining FAM’s Role

Perhaps the most significant consequence of the reform is the way it reshapes FAM’s own responsibilities.

Rather than directly overseeing every level of domestic football, the national federation intends to transition into a strategic governing body focused on national teams, elite competitions, policy development and nationwide coordination.

Regional associations, meanwhile, are expected to take responsibility for organizing local leagues, youth competitions, grassroots programs, coaching initiatives and regional tournaments.

The model mirrors governance structures adopted in many successful footballing nations, where regional associations play a vital role in identifying talent, supporting clubs and ensuring football reaches communities beyond major urban centers.

For a geographically dispersed nation like the Maldives with nearly 200 inhabited islands spread across more than 800 kilometers of ocean such decentralization could prove particularly significant.

A Vision Years in the Making

Although the decision represents a historic milestone, the concept itself is not new.

Before becoming FAM President, Ahmed Thoriq (Tom) made decentralization one of the cornerstone promises of his election campaign, pledging to establish regional football associations through amendments to the federation’s statutes.

However, the process encountered a significant obstacle.

Because regional associations had never previously existed within FAM’s governance framework, FIFA advised the federation to first complete wider constitutional and regulatory reforms before introducing the new system.

Rather than rushing the process, Thoriq’s administration focused on rebuilding the domestic football pyramid.

One of its most notable achievements has been the reintroduction of a nationwide competition structure that once again provides clubs from every inhabited island with a pathway to qualify for the Dhivehi Premier League (DPL). The revival of regional competitions created the practical foundation upon which permanent regional associations could eventually be established.

Viewed in that context, the Executive Committee’s latest decision is less an isolated reform than the next step in a long-term strategy to restructure Maldivian football.

An Opportunity Delayed

Ironically, the legal authority to decentralize football has existed for almost a decade.

In 2016, amendments to FAM’s statutes empowered the federation to divide the Maldives into nine football zones and establish sub-associations. Despite having that authority, the Executive Committee under then-president Bassam Adil Jaleel never implemented the proposal.

As a result, the concept remained dormant for years.

The current administration has now revived that vision, albeit through a four-region model rather than the original nine-zone structure.

Success Will Depend on Implementation

While the decision has been widely welcomed as a progressive step, its long-term success will depend on implementation rather than legislation alone.

Establishing effective governance structures, ensuring financial sustainability, training administrators and maintaining consistent standards across all four regions will be among the federation’s biggest challenges.

Equally important will be ensuring that the new associations genuinely empower clubs and football communities, rather than simply creating another layer of administration.

If implemented effectively, regional football associations could increase participation, strengthen grassroots football, improve talent identification and reduce the long-standing imbalance between football in Malé and the atolls.

For a nation where football remains the most popular sport, the reform represents more than a structural adjustment it offers an opportunity to reshape the future of the game.

Whether it ultimately becomes one of the defining moments in Maldivian football history will depend not on the Executive Committee’s decision alone, but on how effectively that vision is translated into action in the months and years ahead.

Maziya SC stormed to the top of the FAM U19 Championship 2026 standings with a dominant 7-1 victory over Buru Sports in their third match of the competition.

The reigning youth side delivered an emphatic attacking display, bouncing back from their 3-3 draw against New Radiant with a convincing win that underlined their title credentials.

The result takes Maziya to seven points from three matches, level on points with Odi Sports but ahead on goal difference. Maziya now boast an impressive +14 goal difference, having opened their campaign with an 8-0 demolition of TC before sharing the spoils in a six-goal thriller against New Radiant.

Having scored 18 goals in just three matches, Maziya have emerged as the tournament’s most prolific attacking side, sending a strong message to their rivals in the six-team competition.

The victory also hands Maziya the early advantage at the summit of the standings as the race for the FAM U19 Championship 2026 title continues.

Odi Sports climbed to the top of the FAM U19 Championship 2026 table after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over TC in their third match of the tournament.

The narrow win sees Odi extend their unbeaten start to the campaign, collecting seven points from three matches to move into first place in the standings. With three wins worth nine points still possible, the result strengthens Odi’s early push for the championship.

TC, meanwhile, were unable to find an equaliser despite keeping the contest competitive, as Odi’s defence held firm to preserve all three points.

The FAM U19 Championship 2026 features six teams, with each side aiming to develop the country’s next generation of football talent while competing for the youth league title.