Maldives National University has secured the champions title in both Men’s and Women’s division in the “VAM Inter College/University Volleyball Tournament 2019” organized by Volleyball Association of Maldives (VAM). This is the third consecutive time that MNU has secured the title in BOTH the divisions. Previously, MNU secured the titles in 2016 and 2017 while the tournament was not held in 2018.

Women’s team of MNU secured a place in the final match after winning all 3 matches in the group stage. Final match of the division was played at 04.00pm on 30^th March 2019 against Cyryx College. The final match was won by MNU at a score of 3 sets against 1. Aminath Shaha Shamin, the captain of MNU team, won the Player of the Match in the final while Shaha and 3 other players (Shamha Riyaz, Shafna Ibrahim and Fazla Aboobakr) of MNU were included in the dream team of the division.  MNU Coach, Mr. Sofwan Ahmed won the best coach of the division.

It was not such a smooth ride for the Men’s team, though. They won the first two matches against MI College and Cyryx College respectively, while in the third match they succumbed to defeat after a hard fought battle (3 sets to 2). This forced the team to play a semi-final match as the second placed team, with Cyryx College who were placed in the third position. MNU won the semi-finals played on Friday Night at 08.00 at a score of 3-1 sets. Then on Saturday Night, the Men’s team of MNU avenged Villa College on the final match, with a hard fought victory at a score of 3 against 2 sets. Shamaail Hussain of MNU won the Player of the Match while Shamaail and 2 other players (Mohamed Shamweel and Mohamed Shaam) were included in the Dream team of the division from MNU. Coach of MNU team, Mr. Khalid Mohamed won the best coach of the division.

While MNU teams lifted both of the trophies, they were given a strong support from the students of MNU in each and every match of the tournament. The deafening voice of the supporters of MNU kept the spirit of the teams uplifted in the most anxious of situations throughout the whole tournament. It is to be noted that the top management of MNU (Chancellor Dr. Mohamed Latheed, Vice Chancellor Dr. Ali Fawaz Shareef, Deputy Vice Chancellors Dr. Muaviyath Mohamed and Ms. Aishath Shaheen, Dean of Students Ms. Nadhiya Ahmed), other staff of the institution and Deans of faculties took their time to spectate and support the team on the matches played by MNU. Emphasis must be given to the dean of Faculty of Education, Ms. Mariyam Fizana for she attended each and every match played by MNU in the competition.

All matches of the tournament were played in the indoor hall of Social Centre, Male’. After securing the 2 titles for the third consecutive time, MNU has clearly demonstrated their complete dominance in Volleyball over their rivals.

Written by: Mohamed Shaan Amir
Media Coordinator, MNUSU