President of Asian Shooting Confederation His Excellency Sheikh Al Sabah who has visited Maldives on request from the President of Shooting Association of Maldives, made a courtesy call on the President of Shooting Association of Maldives Major General Mohamed Zahir and the Minister of Defence Honourable Ismail Shafeeu. Both meetings were held separately today at the MNDF main headquarters in the late hours of morning. Discussions were held about improving the effort to develop shooting in the Maldives by both sides.

His Excellency Sheikh Al Sabah also visited the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Maldives Olympic Committee. In addition, he visited the small arms shooting range in Girifushi Training School in the afternoon.

Maldives National Defence Force commenced its 7th Athletics championship at Male' Kulhivaru Ekuveni tracks on 5th of this month. The tournament was opened by the Chief Guest retired MNDF Sarudhaaru Mohamed Ibrahim (A.K.A: Karo Lhauhuththu). The opening ceremony began when the athletes arrived at the stadium. MNDF Sports and Recreation Club president, Colonel Ahmed Mohamed, senior officers and Maldives Athletics Association Chairman Mr. Maizaan Alimanik also participated in the opening ceremony. To begin the tournament, officers and Warrant officers of two shifts competed in a Swedish relay event where the Chief Guest presented the baton to begin the tournament. The purpose of this championship is to create a friendly atmosphere among MNDF staff and to develop interest towards fitness and healthy lifestyle. This championship included shot-put, long jump, individual and relay events.

MNDF Coastguard conducted a maritime awareness program for the staff of “Royal island and spa” resort. The program was conducted on request from the resort from 28th to 29th of June. The program was aimed to provide the participants with information and practice on how to rescue people during maritime disasters. The training program included navigation and map reading, seamanship, water rescue, emergency first aid, rescue swimming and rescue techniques. A total of 25 participants from "Royal island and spa" resort took pat in the training program.

President of Asian Shooting Confederation His Excellency Sheikh Al Sabah has made a courtesy call on request from the president of Shooting Association of Maldives Major General Mohamed Zahir. He was warmly welcomed at Male’ international airport by Major General Mohamed Zahir and association heads. During his visit H.E Sheikh Al Sabah is to stay in the Maldives for 4 days.

MNDF handed over the newly constructed local market to the Home Ministry on 29th of June 2008. After completing the construction started on 23rd May 2008. This portion of the market was constructed in addition to the previous local market also constructed by the MNDF on request from Ministry of Home Affairs. The previous local market was constructed on the empty lot in front of the fish market. The newly added portion of the market is 32.4 m by 9.6. Project Planning Implementation Maintenance Service of MNDF constructed the building while the equipments and raw materials were provided by Home Ministry. The purpose of expanding the local market is to provide more space for the local traders who arrive in the market from various atolls of the Maldives. MNDF is glad to help Maldivian the Maldivian. This work is part of the social services that MNDF provides to the Maldivian general public. MNDF is proud to serve Maldivian local traders.

The dead body of 81 year old Easa Ali of Ha.Hoarafushi was found after 2 days of search operations. Two foreign laborers found his body washed ashore on the northern beach of Ha.Gallandhoo at 0830 hrs today. Coastguard Ship Shaheed Ali which was taking part in the search operation arrived at Ha.Gallandhoo. The body’s identity was confirmed by the search team of Shaheed Ali and the body was handed over to Maldives Police Service.

Coastguard conducted a maritime safety awareness program for the staff of "One & Only Reethi Rah Beach Resort". This program which was held from 20st to 21th of this month was conducted on request of "One & Only Reethi Rah Beach Resort"

The program was aimed to provide practical guidance about maritime safety. Participants were given instructions on rescue, navigation, seamanship, Emergency first aid, rescue techniques and rescue swimming. 23 Staff of One &Only Reethi Rah Beach Resort participated in this training program.

Declaring that "this time it’s ours" the Maldives national football team achieved the championship trophy after showing great performance with confidence and spirit. Starting from the very first match till to the finals, the team had shown outstanding football to all the spectators. With the grace of Almighty Allah, the longing desire to win the SAFF Championship was achieved by the strenuous effort along with the patriotic spirit and nationalism of the team players and management. This achievement is indeed a breakthrough in the Maldivian history of sports.

The effort put by the national team in bringing the SAFF Championship trophy to our land gave rise to a renewed spirit of patriotism and national harmony. Calling themselves as the 12th player of the team, the extra ordinary support, cheering and love shown by the citizen of Maldives towards our national team was remarkable.

On behalf of all the soldiers of MNDF and their families, we congratulate, praise and salute the Maldivian National football team and its management for the SAFF Championship trophy and the fame, reputation and happiness you brought along with it.

Our dream and desire is to see the national team continue developing its status and skill and bring more achievements to our country.

Long live the National football team – long live Maldivian nation

Last night a fire accident occurred in the store room of "Neelan fihaara" which is located inside the junkyard south of male’. MNDF Fire and Rescue Service was informed of the fire at 2348 hrs. Fire and Rescue Service team reached the location at exactly 2355 hrs. Maldives Police Service and civilians also helped to control and extinguish the fire.

0230 hrs and it was fully extinguished at about 0430 hrs morning. Maldives Police Service and Mndf Fire and Rescue Service are investigating the cause of the fire.

MNDF Chief of Defence Force Major General Mohamed Zahir returned Maldives after concluding the official visit to Reunion Island from 4 to 6th of this month. Chief of Defence Force visited the Reunion Island on request from the French Navy. The purpose of this visit is to discuss with the French Navy and Maritime Affairs of the Reunion to further enhance the efforts to save and protect the fishing grounds of the Maldives and to comprehend reliable solutions for the MNDF coastguard to tackle the obstacles that faces in saving and protecting the fishing grounds.

Chief of Defence Force visited and discussed with the Reunion Governor, Prefect of Reunion H.E Pierre-Henri Macioni, French Navy Reunion base Commanding officer Captain Niogret and the heads of Reunion’s Department of Maritime Affairs. MNDF Coastguard Director General Colonel Zakariyya Mansoor accompanied the Chief of Defence Force in his visit.

Maldives National Defence Force conducted a Family evening program to mark its 116th anniversary. The purpose of this is to create an atmosphere in which children and the families belonging to MNDF personnel can mingle with each other in an enjoyable and informal manner. The stalls included Coast Guard display, Fire Display, rappelling, transport display and shooting range and many more. The evening included a stage show and popular cartoon characters. Some of the Maldivian movie stars also participated in this program. This program will also continue tomorrow from 1600 hrs till 1800 hrs.

MNDF 7th Athletics championship held at Male' Kulhivaru Ekuveni tracks was concluded today. A closing ceremony was held in which the Chief Guest retired MNDF Sarudhaaru Mohamed Ibrahim (A.K.A: Karo Lhauhuththu) presented the trophies, medals and certificates for the winners. MNDF Sports and Recreation Club president, Colonel Ahmed Mohamed and senior officers of MNDF participated in the ceremony. The women's champion of the tournament went to S.E.K. the best unit in the 3rd category went to Special Forces while best unit of the 2nd category went to MNDF HQ and the best unit of the 1st category went to RHQ Hulhule'. The best female athlete was Pte. Ameena Ali. The best athlete in the 3rd category was Sergeant Hussain Riyaz of Fitness and Sports Wing, while the best athlete in the 2nd category was Pte. Yaugoob Mohamed of MNDF HQ and the best athlete in the 1st category was Lance Corporal Mohamed Hameed. The purpose of this championship is to create a friendly atmosphere among MNDF staff and to develop interest towards fitness and healthy lifestyle.