Our Story

Nearly three decades of sport in B. Thulhaadhoo

From a 10-player football team to a registered NGO running six sporting programs — this is how Young Eagle grew.

Introduction

Founded in November 1996

Thulhaadhoo Young Eagle Sports was founded in November 1996, initiated by Ahmed Anees, Ibrahim Atheef and Ahmed Shifan. The team formed as a football side of 10 players and 3 officials, and entered its first tournament in December 1997 — the first tournament held in Thulhaadhoo in decades. Young Eagle won it, playing with high spirits, and has been defeated only three times since.

The secret behind the winning team was its youth development structure: three age-group teams named Golden Eagle (ages 5–10), Flying Eagle (ages 11–14) and Young Eagle (ages 15 and above). The two junior sides became the engine room generating good players for the senior team.

Golden Eagle youth team
Flying Eagle youth team
Youth Pathway

Golden Eagle → Flying Eagle → Young Eagle

Every senior player has moved through this pathway. Golden Eagle introduces the youngest children (5–10) to team sport; Flying Eagle (11–14) sharpens competitive skill; and by 15, players are ready to represent Young Eagle itself. It's the same pipeline structure that powers our modern Youth Development Program and Handball Academy today.

Timeline

Key milestones

1996

Young Eagle is founded

Ahmed Anees, Ibrahim Atheef and Ahmed Shifan form a 10-player football team with 3 officials in B. Thulhaadhoo.

1997

Champions of our first tournament

Young Eagle wins the first tournament held in Thulhaadhoo in decades — the start of a winning culture broken only three times since.

1998

Bashi team established

To empower women in sport, Young Eagle forms its own Bashi team. Both the football and bashi sides go on to dominate local competition.

2006

Registered as an NGO

In August 2006, Young Eagle is registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs under the island's youngest-ever chairperson, Ibrahim Anees, aged 18.

2007

First national tournament

Young Eagle becomes the first club from Thulhaadhoo to compete nationally, taking 3rd place at the 36th National Swimming Championship against Life Guard Association and Sifainge Club — with an all-Thulhaadhoo team of new swimmers.

2016

20th Anniversary & VAM Volleyball

A friendly volleyball and bashi match for the community leads directly to Young Eagle entering the VAM 2nd Division Volleyball tournament, giving island youths a shot at competing in Male'.

2020

Youth Development Program launches

YDP starts in Male' on 28th April with 11 children aged 5–10, growing quickly — and finally launches in Thulhaadhoo itself on 15th November after years of pitch delays, with 42 participants in the first three days. Handball is also introduced to Thulhaadhoo women for the first time.

2021

Handball Academy opens

On 1st March, 21 players join the new Young Eagle Sports Academy handball programme — the first of its kind on any island outside Kulhudhuffushi City.

2022

National handball debut

Young Eagle enters the Handball Maldives Championship for the first time, reaching the Round of 16, then progresses to the second round of the 9th Milo National Handball Tournament.

Beyond Sport

Giving back to Thulhaadhoo

Sporting success has always come with community responsibility.

Quran distribution

On "Umurun Dhvasvee Meehunge Dhuvas", we distributed a Mushaf of the Quran to every individual over 65 in Thulhaadhoo.

Equipment donations

We've donated footballs to FC Thulhaadhoo and Turf pitch youths, and a volleyball net to island youths taking up the sport.

Advocating for facilities

We led meetings with the Thulhaadhoo Council, Ministry of Youth & Sports and MTCC to get the island's long-delayed Futsal pitch finished.

From the Chairperson

Ibrahim Anees

"It is difficult for a club like us to conduct activities and play our role in society. Our club consists of talented, dedicated youths — IT technicians, administrators, skilled players and coaches across almost every field. But our biggest challenge is the shortage of budget and limited ways of earning income. Clubs like us have to struggle for survival, and it is not easy for atoll clubs especially to get sponsors."

— Ibrahim Anees, Chairperson, Thulhaadhoo Young Eagle Sports