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Football legends Carles Puyol, Scott Parker, Joey Barton play friendly match at Jumeirah Vittaveli
Jumeirah Vittaveli has hosted an all-star celebrity football match, featuring legendary players Carles Puyol, Scott Parker and Joey Barton.
Colleagues and guests were invited to join the match, which took place at the resort’s own BOLI stadium last weekend. It was watched by dozens of guests and colleagues alike, all cheering on the skilful game on the grass.
Puyol and Parker played in one team, while Barton and one of Parker’s sons played in the other, flanked by Jumeirah Vittaveli colleagues and guests. The teams played for two halves of 15 minutes each, and treated their audience to some truly show stopping saves and goals.
The final score stood at 10-7 for the team with Puyol and Parker.

At the end of the match, Puyol, Parker, Barton and Gianluca Zambrotta who joined the match as a spectator were all given commemorative plaques by Amit Majumder, the General Manager of Jumeirah Vittaveli. A football was ceremonially signed by each.

Puyol, the long-time captain for Barcelona and part of the Spanish national squad that won the Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, is regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, and has captained the Barcelona team for a memorable 10 years.
Puyol spent some quality time with his family at Jumeirah Vittaveli and enjoyed his stay at the Royal Residence, the lavish 3,500 square metre private beachfront retreat that opened in March.
“It’s been a great pleasure to participate in the friendly football match with the colleagues at Jumeirah Vittaveli! I love football and it’s wonderful to see how passionate everyone here is about my favourite sport! To be able to play with such a diverse team, with its members from so many different nationalities, and all that on a tiny island in the Maldives, is truly exceptional. The goalkeeper in my team was especially outstanding and I hope I’ll get to have him on my team again when I come back,” comments Puyol.
“But it’s not just the players, everyone on the resort is so warm and welcoming. We are staying at the Royal Residence and I don’t think I could ask for a more luxurious or comfortable holiday.”

Parker is a former English professional football player who was signed by Chelsea, Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspurs and Fulham amongst others. His career spanned 20 years and he played 119 league matches for Fulham in both the Premier League and the Championship.
Parker was so kind to bring memorabilia from his former club, the Tottenham Hotspurs — he brought two of the jerseys he himself used to wear when playing for the club, in addition to two sets of football boots. These thoughtful and generous souvenirs were handed over to the colleagues of Jumeirah Vittaveli, many of whom are passionate football fans and could not believe their luck to be meeting one of their personal football heroes and receiving souvenirs from their favourite club on top of it.
After a quick group picture, Parker immediately went on to start a small training session together with his sons, where he taught some of his special tricks and skills to Jumeirah Vittaveli colleagues.
“This vacation was my first chance to be with my family and travel since I retired last year and I can’t think of a more perfect place to have come to than Jumeirah Vittaveli. My kids love football and to be able to travel to a country where everyone has such a love for the game is amazing. Being able to play football with my sons and have an amazing time on this vacation made it just so special,” said Parker, when handing over the club souvenirs.

Barton is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder. He has made 240 appearances in the Premier League, including 130 for Manchester City.
Zambrottais an Italian former professional footballer, who played as a full-back for such notable clubs as Milan, Juventus, and Barcelona. He played at three FIFA World Cups, three UEFA European Championships, and was a key member of the starting line-up of the Italian squad that won the 2006 World Cup.
Located a short 20-minute ride on board a luxurious motorised catamaran from capital, Jumeirah Vittaveli offers unmatched diversity, subtle luxury and personalised exploration, whether you are seeking a romantic getaway or an exotic destination for your family.
In addition to the new Royal Residence, which was recently recognised as Indian Ocean’s Leading Luxury Hotel Villa at the World Travel Awards, Jumeirah Vittaveli comprises 89 villas and suites each with their own swimming pool and direct access to the beach or lagoon. The private and spacious villas are available with one or two bedrooms making them the ideal accommodation for both families and couples. Highlights are the free-standing Ocean Suites, located only a heartbeat away from the main island and accessible by complimentary boat service.
For the evenings, guests have the choice of a culinary journey through India in the resort’s signature restaurant Swarna, or an overwater fine dining experience featuring French cuisine at Fenesse.
The Talise spa at Jumeirah Vittaveli has been named Best Luxury Wellness Spa in Maldives by the World Travel Awards in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Treatments at the spa are inspired by concepts of light and space connecting with the purity and vibration of ingredients. The team produces their own island made 100 percent pure coconut oil, which is used in treatments and available as a take-home souvenir. The garden and overwater treatment rooms provide romantic spaces for couples who wish to enjoy blissful relaxation, while the spa menu also includes dedicated Mother-Daughter and Father-Son pampering sessions.
For those seeking adventure, the island’s water sports centre offers flyboarding. For those looking to experience the wonder of the underwater world of the Maldives, there are diving and snorkelling excursions to see turtles and magnificent shipwrecks.
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LUX Tennis joins St. Regis Maldives Vommuli to expand active lifestyle programme
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has announced a partnership with LUX Tennis, strengthening the resort’s established tennis offering and introducing plans for a new padel court. The collaboration expands the resort’s active lifestyle programme, with a particular focus on families and multi-generational travel.
The St. Regis brand draws on the legacy of the Astor family, founders of the original St. Regis New York, whose Gilded Age lifestyle celebrated refined leisure and sporting pursuits. Tennis, in particular, became a symbol of elegance within the Astor social circle, reflecting a culture shaped by hospitality, recreation and sophistication. This heritage continues across the St. Regis portfolio today, where classic sports remain an integral part of the brand’s identity.
Set within the resort’s private island environment, the enhanced LUX Tennis programme is designed to elevate on-island tennis experiences for guests of all ages and skill levels. The programme features expert-led coaching, bespoke clinics and visiting residencies by internationally recognised professionals, offering guests opportunities to train, play and engage with elite talent in an accessible and inspiring setting.
Confirmed visiting professionals include Angelique Kerber, three-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, who will visit from 29 to 31 March 2026, and Feliciano López, former Spanish champion with a career-high singles ranking of world number 12, scheduled from 16 to 17 May 2026.
The expanded tennis programme is designed to integrate seamlessly with island life, offering everything from relaxed family matches and junior-friendly coaching to more focused sessions for experienced players. Activities are structured to complement time spent at the beach, spa experiences and family dining.
The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort features 77 beachfront and overwater villas, each with a private pool, alongside facilities such as the John Jacob Astor Estate, the largest overwater three-bedroom villa in the Maldives. Guests also have access to the award-winning Iridium Spa, six dining venues and a private yacht available for charter, reinforcing the resort’s positioning as a destination for both leisure and active pursuits.
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InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort launches ‘Swim with Nurse Sharks’ experience
Nestled in the pristine waters of the Raa Atoll, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort introduces Swim with Nurse Sharks, a new guided marine experience offering guests a rare opportunity to encounter these gentle creatures in their natural lagoon habitat.
Located just minutes from the island, the calm, shallow waters provide ideal conditions for observing nurse sharks at rest and in motion. The one-hour experience operates three times a week by speedboat and is designed for small groups, making it suitable for families and confident swimmers seeking a meaningful connection with the ocean.
Guided with care and respect for the environment, the experience reflects the resort’s ongoing commitment to marine awareness and responsible interaction with wildlife. Guests gain insight into the behaviour of nurse sharks while exploring one of the region’s few accessible snorkelling sites dedicated to this species.
Available at USD 95++ per person, with special rates for children under 12, Swim with Nurse Sharks adds a distinctive new chapter to the resort’s immersive ocean experiences.
For more information on “Swim with Nurse Sharks” at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, please visit the resort’s website.
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Avani+ Fares Maldives to host Michael Owen’s football camp for second year
Michael Owen’s Football Camp is returning to Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort for a second year, running from 31 March to 3 April 2026 as part of the resort’s Easter holiday programme. Following a strong debut in 2025, the camp will once again see children and teens join the former England striker for hands-on coaching sessions on Fares Island in Baa Atoll.
Designed for kids and teens aged 5 to 13, the four-day camp combines daily training sessions, skills development and team challenges, led by Michael Owen. The programme ends on a high with a celebratory finale, with certificates, medals and jersey signings for every participant. The camp is complimentary for all guests staying at Avani+ Fares Maldives during the event, and each registered participant will receive an official Football Kit, including two sets of customised jerseys, shorts and socks.

Building on the strong response from families last year, the 2026 Football Camp sits within Avani+ Fares Maldives’ broader Easter line-up, pairing structured sports sessions with relaxed island time. Beyond the pitch, younger guests can dip in and out of island adventures at AvaniKids and the Teens Club, with creative arts and crafts and dedicated spaces designed around their age group. Mealtimes are part of the fun too, with Petit Bistro, the resort’s kids-only restaurant, created just for younger guests.
For families keen to get out on the water together, Avani+ Fares Maldives is set within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, with snorkelling along the house reef right off the island and a full menu of water sports and dive experiences at this award-winning dive resort.
Commenting on the upcoming camp, Michael Owen said: “Coming back to Avani+ Fares Maldives feels like a natural next step after the energy and enthusiasm we saw at the first camp. It is a special environment for families and the camp is all about helping kids build confidence, develop their skills and most importantly enjoy the game together. I am really looking forward to being back on the island in 2026.”

Avani+ Fares Maldives is designed with families in mind, with a wide mix of accommodation styles to suit different group sizes and travel plans. Options range from interconnecting Pavilion rooms for easy togetherness, to Beach Pool Villas with outdoor space for daytime downtime, alongside over water villas set above the lagoon. For families travelling as a bigger group, the resort also offers spacious two and three bedroom Over Water Pool Residences, with generous living areas and room to spread out between activities.
Package rates start from USD 3,500 for a family of four, including accommodation, seaplane transfers and football camp registration. Based on two adults and two children sharing on a bed and breakfast basis, includes taxes and fees. To book, visit www.avanihotels.com/en/fares-maldives, email fares@avanihotels.com or call +960 660 1660.
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