A top team from the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) has begun work in the Maldives, to develop the sport in the country.

This team is to conduct a Level 2 cricket coaching programme until November 14, with an umpires training programme scheduled to start on November 18.

This is part of the Indian government’s efforts to provide support to Maldives cricket and to develop the sport in the country, as discussed during President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi this May.

Indian Ambassador to Maldives, Sanjay Sudhir reviewed the ongoing coaching programme on Tuesday. He also met with the Maldives under-16 cricket team, before they departed for a tournament

The Indian embassy in Maldives said that the BCCI team is “impressed” by the level of cricketing passion and talent in Maldives.

The Maldives government, in its work to bolster the sport in the country, is also seeking India’s assistance in developing a cricket stadium in the country.

President Solih had, in April, traveled to India to attend an Indian Premier League (IPL) match, on the invitation of the country’s cricket board.