News Desk
MALE’, Maldives — The Special Forces of the Maldivian National Defence Force have won a gold medal at the Pakistan Army Team Spirit competition, a result President Dr Mohamed Muizzu described as a moment of national pride for both the military and the wider country.
In a message posted on X on Monday, President Muizzu congratulated the contingent and called the event a demanding test of military skill, discipline, morale, endurance, mental resilience and teamwork under harsh conditions. This year’s competition brought together 24 teams representing 16 countries.
“Winning the gold medal in this competition is a tremendous honour and pride for Maldivian soldiers and for the Maldives,” the president wrote on X. He extended his congratulations to the full Maldivian delegation and praised their performance throughout the contest.
The Pakistan Army Team Spirit competition is held annually and is designed to strengthen cooperation among participating militaries while assessing their ability to operate in physically and mentally challenging scenarios that mirror real operational environments.
Maldivian participation reflects the country’s continuing efforts to build defence capacity and deepen engagement with international partners, particularly within the region. The Maldives maintains a relatively small conventional force but invests heavily in elite units trained for maritime security, counterterrorism and rapid response.
President Muizzu’s administration has placed renewed emphasis on national defence and the protection of maritime territory. Recent patrols in contested waters near the Chagos Archipelago have heightened tensions with Mauritius over overlapping exclusive economic zones. The president’s public celebration of the Special Forces’ achievement comes as he begins an official visit to Germany, where he is expected to discuss climate adaptation and meet senior officials.
