National Team receives heroes’ welcome

The Maldives National Football team which won the SAFF Championship Cup in Sri Lanka was given the red carpet treatment on arrival at the Male’ International Airport in Hulhule and was given a heroes’ welcome by the adoring public when they arrived in Male yesterday.

The Team was met on arrival at Hulhule by President of Maldives, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and the President handed over the cash rewards donated by the Government to the players at the VIP Lounge. After the meeting the President told the press that the SAFF Championship cup would taken to every inhabited island in the country and every Maldivian would be given the chance to touch the trophy.

After that the Maldivian National Team travelled to Male in a special boat prepared for them. The entire Jumhooree Maidhan and the surrounding areas were packed with cheering fans that had come to catch a glimpse of their heroes and to congratulate them. Upon arrival at the No. 1 jetty the team members welcomed by senior officials of the Male’ Municipality and other members of the District Offices in Male’.

A red carpet had been rolled from the jetty to the waiting truck that was to take them on a tour of Male’. The narrow walkway where the carpet had been laid was thronged from both sides by people who tried to shake hands or just touch the players as they made their through the crowd and to the waiting truck. The cheers from the crowd were deafening as each player made his way on to the truck.

Once all the players were on, the truck began its trek around Male’ before going to the National Stadium where more fans and supporters, all wearing red, had gathered to see their triumphant team. The roads of Male’ were thronged with people who cheered non-stop as the National Team passed on the truck.

Once at the Stadium the players went around shaking hands and giving autographs to fans. The SAFF Championship cup was kept on a stand at the centre of the stadium and the team members posed for pictures with fans. Each team member was assigned a separate car, and after the events each of the players got into the designated car and went home, followed by the sound of non-stop cheering and adulation.
 

Courtesy: Haveeru