Turf set on fire three days before installation at Nolhivaram field

The turf transported to HDh. Nolhivaram for development of the island’s football field was set on fire early Tuesday, three days before it was set to be installed at the field.

The turf was torched at approximately 03:15 am Tuesday.

The installation of turf at the football field had set to be complete at the end of February. However, Nolhivaram Council’s president Yoosuf Moosa told Sun that the arson attack is expected to delay the project.

Moosa described the arson attack as an “uncivilized” act. He condemned the obstruction to the island’s development.

“I condemn this, no matter who the perpetrator is. No one should commit such an act. I am saddened to see such an act being committed in our island. This is sad,” he said.

Moosa said he is unable to estimate the financial loss from the damage to the turf.

Sports Minister Ahmed Mahloof described it as a “cowardly” act.

“Some people have deliberately set fire to the turf, three days before the turf was set to be installed at the Nolhivaram football field which had been delayed over numerous challenges. It is a sad and cowardly act to cause millions of Rufiyaa in damage and deliberately obstruct the island’s development,” he said.

The development of Nolhivaram football field had originally been scheduled to begin November 2019. But the project began one year later, in December 2020. The project had been scheduled for completion in October 2022.