What killed the Maldivian Sport? When YDP died!

                    Above is the true inspirational story of Panyee FC from rural floating village area of Thailand. This story deserves to be made a short film, because what these players then just childrens achieved was nothing short of great. How they never gave up on their dream and worked hard together to finally form a football team of their own on such limited resources and facilities is just outstanding. A really touching story it is, so lets put that aside and look at our country. Certainly these people have it much harder than us, but yet they found it in themselves to overcome those difficulties and go the distance.
                   Maldives once had a Youth Development Program in short YDP to help youngsters to help nourish and guide their talents in various sport. I still remember we had it when we were young, i saw so many talented colleagues, when i also used to play football there. Many Maldivians who never thought they could play so well started to find the talent within themselves. The YDP coaches helped them to get more polished and professional. Many children who didn't find studying interesting so some hope in the YDP programs. Instead of wasting there time doing mischief or being in gangs and doing drugs it gave many purpose and something they loved to do. It helped a lot of young people and a lot of young talented players were produced in various sports like Basket, Volley And Football etc. So it was a real blow when government blew off the YDP programs & stopped funding it anymore. Many talented youngsters under the program got disheartened and de-motivated and never reached the heights they might hav had it continued.
                   Therefore if Maldives wants to create another Ashfag (football), Zabee (basket) respectively its gonna tak another decade or even much longer. We are always complaining Maldives dont have enough talent. But how can we produce any when their are so limited facilities provided let along no type of YDP programs to guide and polish these young talents we have. This will also prevent a lot of youngsters from mischief and going astray. I had a friend who after joining the YDP program changed his behaviour very well all because he wanted to be part of that football team. We really need this in our society, its something important for our future childrens development.
                  Our government, the sports ministry and the minister needs to look at this, make a budget and find some funds so they can restart this YDP again. Because then only can Maldives ever dream of having the type of coveted professional players we want to see in our sports. These steps are necessary if we are to target higher and achieve more glory in the future.
    "Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out" - Robert Collier