The Government has begun dismantling the bridge viewing platform to make way for the construction of an international-standard surfing and bodyboarding arena.

The initiative is aimed at enhancing the country’s capacity to host world-class water sports events and solidifying its status as a premier destination for surfing and bodyboarding.

The Ministry of Sports, Fitness, and Recreation formalised an agreement in April 2024 with Hong Kong-based Rotime Engineering and Technology Private Limited to develop the arena.

The agreement was signed during a ceremony at the Housing Development Corporation (HDC), attended by Sports Minister Abdulla Rafiu and Rotime's Managing Director Zhou Weidong.

According to Minister Rafiu, the project was initiated in response to a request from the Maldives Surfing and Bodyboarding Association to address challenges in hosting international competitions on a larger scale. The facility is expected to provide modern infrastructure to support such events, elevating the Maldives' international profile in water sports tourism.

The Maldives has already hosted notable competitions, including the "Visit Maldives Pro" as part of the International Bodyboarding Corporation (IBC) World Tour in 2022, which secured the country’s inclusion in the IBC's Tour Calendar.