The Maldives first Olympic qualifier, Fathimath Dheema Ali, received a grand welcome today. 

Maldives’ table tennis prodigy, Fathimath Dheema Ali has qualified for the Olympics after winning in the regional qualifiers, which were held in Kathmandu, Nepal. She defeated Sri Lanka's rising table tennis star, Bimandee Bandara, at the South Asian Olympic qualifiers.

Dheema was welcomed by the Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation, Abdulla Rafiu, and the Maldives Olympic Committee president, Mohamed Abdul Sattar at the Velana International Airport. 

Upon her arrival at the social center indoor hall, she received a grandiose welcome by the Table Tennis family and officials of other national associations. National team athletes from other sports were also present at the indoor hall to welcome Dheema. 

In a post on social media platform ‘X’, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu also congratulated Dheema after her qualification. President Muizzu expressed pride in the win, stating that it was a historic moment for Maldivian sports. He also offered congratulations to Dheema and her family on being the first-ever Maldivian to qualify for the Olympics.