Former India cricketer Suresh Raina and former Sri Lankan captain Sanath Jayasuriya were felicitated with the prestigious Sports Icon award at the Maldives Sports Awards 2022 by the Maldives government. They were honored alongside 16 international sportspersons, including former Real Madrid player Roberto Carlos, Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell and Dutch football legend Edgar Davids.

The awards were presented in the presence of Md. Zahir Ahsan Russel, the Minister of Youth and Sports of Bangladesh; Al-Kadi Badr Abdul Rahman, the Vice Minister of Sports of Saudi Arabia; Ahmed Nazeer, the president of the Maldives Tennis Association at a ceremony in capital Male.

The event was chaired by Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the presence of top athletes.  The Maldives Sports Awards 2022 was followed by a music show the next night, with talented bands and musicians that included local favourites as well guest singers from India.

Maldives President Solih also honoured Saudi Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal for his efforts in developing Saudi sports and for his support to sports in the Maldives in a way that promotes ways of joint cooperation between the two countries.

(SAM)