Dhiraagu pledges to hold swimming event on par with Road Race

CEO and Managing Director of Dhiraagu Ismail Rasheed has pledged to broaden the Open Water Swimming Competition held in collaboration with Dhiraagu and Swim Maldives to level that is on par with the successful Dhiraagu Road Race.

Ismail Rasheed was speaking at the prize-giving ceremony of the biggest swimming competition in the Maldives held at Dhiraagu head office when he made the pledge. The swimming competition was held last Friday at Rasfannu beach in Male’ city.

“When the road race was held 13 years ago, around 150 people participated in the first year. But now we have to limit the number of participants to 4000 in registration. I believe that this event (swimming competition) will turn into a successful event with even more people.” Said Ismail Rasheed.

The competition was held in seven categories with 198 people taking part in the competition. This was seen as a huge success within the short period allocated for registration by the Managing Director.

Ismail Rasheed also stated that it was a responsibility for every Maldivian to learn how to swim since the majority of the country is surrounded by water. This was one of the main reasons why Dhiraagu decided to sponsor the event this year. Youth awareness and empowerment under its CSR initiative was the next reason why Dhiraagu backed the event, according to the MD.

The event could be extended to other locations within the Maldives, according to Rasheed. The Swimming Association has already announced that the event will be held next year as well. The date for the event will be announced later this year, according to the Association. Swimming Association and Dhiraagu have signed a three-year agreement regarding the event.