Mayor Adam Azim has denied reports that a "baibala" playground has been built at Maafannu Sahara with the approval of the Malé City Council.

The council had earlier decided to clear the graves at Maafannu Sahara and construct a parking building on the site, with work beginning in September last year. However, local history researcher Najih Didi recently claimed on social media that a baibala playground had been built there instead.

In response, Mayor Azim firmly rejected these claims, stating, no sports will be played in Maafannu Sahara, and no such thing will be allowed. He also confirmed that no permission had been given for such a facility.

Maafannu Sahara is a historically significant site where burials were stopped in the late 1990s. It is also the resting place of some civilians who were martyred in the November 3, 1988, terrorist attack on the Maldives.