Maldives' National Olympic Committee president Mohamed Zahir Naseer said they are planning to send athletes to train abroad and might be able to compete next time.

    "We don't have enough space for a skating rink but we are planning to send athletes abroad to train," said Mr. Naseer, who was watching the speed skating competition of the 6th Asian Winter games here with his secretary general Mohamed Mahid Shareef.

    "We haven't decided how many athletes or which event to develop yet but as next Winter Games will be held in Kazakhstan, we want to talk to them and see whether we can send athletes there," he said, adding that short track speed skating might be the one they will develop.

    Maldives had its sports officials to watch a Winter Games for the first time and no athletes from the country are competing but it is a good experience anyways.

    "It is very interesting to watch the competition and the organization is good," he said.