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Football legends Carles Puyol, Scott Parker, Joey Barton play friendly match at Jumeirah Vittaveli

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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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Sheraton Maldives Full Moon celebrates sixth anniversary of Reefscapers collaboration

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Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa marks the sixth anniversary of its partnership with Reefscapers on February 19, 2026, reaffirming its commitment to protecting and restoring the Maldives’ fragile reef ecosystems. Since launching the partnership in 2020, the resort and Reefscapers have worked together to restore coral habitats, support marine biodiversity, and engage guests in meaningful conservation experiences. The milestone also marks one year since the successful relocation of approximately five tons of coral to the resort’s house reefs — one of the partnership’s most significant conservation initiatives.

Over the past six years, the partnership has become a defining pillar of the resort’s sustainability journey, blending scientific restoration with purposeful guest engagement. To date, the initiative has resulted in the planting of 898 coral frames, supporting approximately 33,000 coral colonies now growing across the restoration sites. Through coral propagation, reef monitoring, and awareness programmes, these efforts continue to regenerate reef structures while deepening understanding of the essential role coral ecosystems play in sustaining marine life and protecting coastlines. Each thriving coral frame reflects a shared dedication to preserving the natural wonders that make the Maldives one of the world’s most extraordinary marine destinations.

“What makes this partnership special is seeing how small, consistent actions turn into real change underwater. Watching the relocated corals settle, survive, and begin to grow over the past year has been incredibly rewarding for us and the guests who return and witness how they’ve helped restore a living reef,” shares Katelyn, the resort’s Marine Biologist.

A defining achievement of the collaboration has been the coral relocation project, which carefully transferred coral colonies from Ras Malé, also known as the Maldives Eco City, to the resort’s dedicated restoration site, safeguarding them from potential threats linked to land reclamation activities in the Fushi Dhiggaru Lagoon. One year on, these corals continue to flourish beneath the surface, strengthening reef resilience and contributing to the long-term health of the surrounding ecosystem.

At the heart of the partnership lies the resort’s Adopt a Coral programme, part of the Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy initiative, which encourages guests to travel with intention through meaningful environmental experiences. Through this hands-on activity, visitors can adopt and name a coral frame while learning directly from marine experts about coral ecology and the importance of protecting marine habitats.

To deepen this connection beyond the stay, guests receive growth updates on their adopted corals every six months, allowing them to follow the progress of their living contribution to the reef. As these corals grow over time, they become enduring symbols of renewal and shared responsibility, transforming a holiday memory into a lasting environmental legacy, and reflecting how travel can positively support local ecosystems and communities.

“Our island is surrounded by a remarkable marine environment, and protecting it is a responsibility we take seriously. Our partnership with Reefscapers reflects our belief that hospitality should go hand in hand with stewardship. Seeing the reef restoration progress over the past six years, and the involvement of our guests and associates in that journey, makes this anniversary especially meaningful for all of us,” comments Greg Allan, General Manager of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa.

Through its continued collaboration with Reefscapers, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa remains dedicated to advancing marine conservation while creating purposeful guest experiences rooted in sustainability, education, and connection to nature.

To discover more about the resort’s sustainability initiatives, join the Adopt a Coral programme, or plan a stay that supports reef conservation, visit sheratonmaldives.com or contact the reservations team at Sheraton.Maldives@sheraton.com.

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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef unveils expanded marine excursion portfolio

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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, part of the Sun Siyam Privé Collection, has introduced an expanded portfolio of water-based experiences designed to showcase the natural environment and marine life of the surrounding atolls. The enhanced programme combines exploration, activity and moments of calm, offering guests new ways to experience the Maldives through curated ocean journeys and personalised excursions.

Building on established activities such as Jet Car rides, SeaBob adventures and windsurfing, the resort has expanded its watersports offering to include private speedboat journeys and bespoke marine experiences. These additions are tailored for small groups seeking intimate and meaningful encounters with the ocean.

Available daily from the resort’s Watersports Centre, the new private speedboat excursions provide a personalised way to explore the hidden marine sites of Dhaalu Atoll. Designed for one to four guests, each journey offers flexibility and individual attention. Guests may choose from four-hour, five-hour or full-day itineraries, all of which include a freshly prepared barbecue lunch. From coral gardens to secluded sandbanks, the excursions highlight the region’s diverse marine landscapes.

The programme’s centrepiece is the Full Day Adventure Trip, which offers an extended exploration of key marine locations. Highlights include the Coral Garden, known for its biodiversity and reef formations; Turtle Point, where sea turtles are frequently sighted; and Nurse Shark Point, which provides opportunities to observe nurse sharks in their natural environment. The experience concludes with a beachside lunch on a private sandbank, set against uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean.

For guests seeking a balance between activity and relaxation, the Waves of Adventure and Calmness experience combines a private two-hour snorkelling safari or Jet Ski safari with a full-body massage at the resort. The programme is designed to transition smoothly from ocean exploration to restorative island time, reflecting the relaxed pace that characterises Sun Siyam Vilu Reef.

As part of the Sun Siyam Privé Collection, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef continues to focus on personalised service and experiences rooted in the natural setting of the Maldives. Through its expanded watersports offering, the resort invites guests to engage with the marine environment while enjoying a sense of privacy, discovery and connection to the Maldivian seascape.

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Atmosphere Foundation launches annual dive training scholarship for Maldivians

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Atmosphere Foundation has launched a new annual scholarship programme that will sponsor 10 Maldivians each year to complete internationally recognised scuba diving training and professional development pathways, supporting youth career growth while strengthening the Maldivian workforce in tourism.

Designed to create clearer entry points into the industry and help Maldivians advance from foundational training to professional roles, the programme will provide sponsored candidates with access to a structured set of certifications that can lead to employment opportunities in resort dive centres, watersports operations, and marine excursions across the country.

The programme will support both beginners and those already working in the sector who want to progress further. By sponsoring these certifications, the initiative aims to help participants develop technical competence, safety capabilities and professional readiness—skills that are essential for career progression in dive and marine-related roles within the tourism industry.

To ensure the programme delivers direct long-term value to the Maldives, successful candidates will be required to work in the Maldives for a specified period after completing their course. This service commitment is intended to strengthen local capacity within the tourism workforce, help resorts access qualified Maldivian professionals, and support career continuity for young people entering the sector.

“Tourism is the Maldives’ greatest economic mainstay, and our future depends on ensuring Maldivians are represented across the industry—not only at entry level, but in specialist and leadership positions as well,” said Abdul Azeez Abdul Hakeem, Vice President of Atmosphere Foundation. “This programme is designed to remove barriers to training, equip young people with globally recognised qualifications, and support them to progress from the beginning of their careers to new heights. The service component also ensures that the skills gained remain in the Maldives and contribute to the development of our tourism workforce.”

Atmosphere Foundation continues to develop and support initiatives that contribute to community wellbeing and opportunity, with a focus on empowering youth, building skills, and creating sustainable pathways for Maldivians. The annual dive training sponsorship programme builds on the Foundation’s broader mission to deliver meaningful, practical support that helps individuals and communities thrive—while contributing to the long-term resilience of the national economy.

Further information on how to apply, programme partners and timelines will be announced soon through Atmosphere Foundation’s official channels.

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