Youth Minister Ahmed Mahloof has confirmed that the turf carpets taken to Haa Dhaalu Nolhuvaram were set on fire last night.
Mahloof said via Twitter that the turf was set on fire deliberately.
He further said that turf carpets were set ablaze three days before the authorities were set to put the carpet on the stadium and that the authorities have come to this point after clearing many difficulties.
Minister Mahloof added this act which incurred a loss of millions of Rufiya and hindered the island's development was a cowardly act.
President of Nolhuvaram Council Yousuf Moosa said that the fire was reported around 3:30 in the morning and authorities had rushed to the area where the turfs were stored to extinguish the fire.
He added that the council had no knowledge of who had set fire to the turf and why.
The cost of putting turf carpets on the Nolhivarum stadium is projected to cost MVR 5 million.
