Table tennis player Moosa Munsif Ahmed and shooting athlete Mariyam Eshal Misbah have been selected as the flag bearers for the Maldives contingent at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

The announcement was made during a special flag handover ceremony held ahead of the Maldives delegation’s departure for the continental sporting event. The two athletes will carry the Maldivian flag and lead the national contingent during the Asian Games opening ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fitness Abdulla Rafiu emphasized the importance of discipline, commitment and national pride as the athletes prepare to compete on one of Asia’s biggest sporting stages.

Minister Rafiu stressed that every member of the Maldivian contingent has a responsibility to uphold discipline and represent the national flag with pride and honour throughout the Games. He encouraged the athletes to give their maximum effort and strive for success in their respective sports while carrying the hopes of the nation with them.

The selection of Moosa Munsif Ahmed and Mariyam Eshal Misbah as flag bearers brings together athletes from two different sporting disciplines and recognizes their role in representing the Maldives on the continental stage.

The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games will bring together athletes from across Asia, including some of the world's leading sporting nations. For the Maldives, the Games provide an important opportunity for athletes to test themselves against strong international competition, gain valuable experience and showcase the progress being made in Maldivian sport.