The Ministry of Sports, Fitness and Recreation has clarified that the Maldives Sports Awards 2025 ceremony, scheduled for Sunday night, is being held to recognise sporting achievements from 2024.

In a statement shared on social media, the Ministry said the awards event had originally been planned for 2025, but was postponed to this year.

The Ministry also said it is working to hold a separate ceremony later this year, Maldives Sports Awards 2026, to recognise achievements from 2025.

The Ministry issued the clarification amid public criticism and debate over this year’s nomination list, which has been shared online in recent days. The Ministry stressed that nominations are not handled directly by the Sports Ministry, but are submitted by sports associations. It said this applies across categories, including athletes, coaches, officials, journalists and photographers.

The Ministry said the Maldives Sports Awards 2025 will be held on Sunday, 15 February, at the Galolhu National Stadium.