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Five things from the Bundesliga

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Bayern Munich rumbled towards an eighth straight Bundesliga title on Saturday after their comfortable win at Bayer Leverkusen, while players throughout the league renewed support for the Black Lives Matters protests sparked by the death of George Floyd.

AFP Sport looks at five key things from Saturday’s action:

Bayern unstoppable?

You have to go back to before Christmas to find a match which Bayern lost, and their stroll at Leverkusen took Hansi Flick’s side to 11 straight wins in all competitions and kept them seven points clear with just four matches remaining.

A goal down after 10 minutes against a team that beat them at the Allianz Arena in November, Bayern responded with two quick goals just before half-time to establish a stranglehold on the match after Kingsley Coman’s equaliser.

From that point Bayern were calm and composed as they saw out a ninth league win in a row that allows to put one hand on the Bundesliga trophy.

However bookings for both Thomas Mueller and Robert Lewandowski — who scored his 30th league goal of the season — mean that they will miss next week’s clash with Champions League-chasing Borussia Moenchengladbach, where a win will as good as seal the title.

Floyd tributes continue

Pierre Kunde Malong is one of many Bundesliga players to take a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter protests. PHOTO: POOL/AFP / Alexander HASSENSTEIN

Borussia Dortmund and Hertha Berlin players were the latest to show their support for demonstrations across the USA and George Floyd, a black American who died in Minneapolis last month while being arrested by police officers, by taking a collective knee around the Signal Iduna Park centre circle before their match.

They had been preceded by Mainz’s Cameroonian midfielder Pierre Kunde Malong, who sunk to one knee after scoring in Mainz’s 2-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt, emulating similar gestures from last weekend.

Both Dortmund and Bayern Munich wore T-shirts showing solidarity with the protests, with Bayern players warming up in tops bearing both the Black Lives Matter hashtag and the slogan of the club’s official “Reds Against Racism” campaign.

Werner shows his worth

Timo Werner is reportedly set to move to Chelsea next season. PHOTO: POOL/AFP / HANNIBAL HANSCHKE

Timo Werner showed why Chelsea are reportedly set to spend 50 million euros (£44.5 million) on bringing him to the Premier League, setting up Patrik Schick to take the lead and playing with the verve that has attracted the attention of Europe’s biggest clubs.

The Germany forward has scored 31 times in all competitions for Leipzig this season and prestigious magazine Kicker reports that Chelsea will pay less than the Werner’s 55 million-euro release clause to bring the 24-year-old to the Premier League.

Leipzig sporting director Oliver Mintzlaff said that no deal had yet been done for Werner, although he made it clear that Werner would be leaving come the end of the season.

“We are sure that we will find a solution with his new club which allows us to end the Bundesliga season with Timo,” said Mintzlaff.

‘Huge talent’ Wirtz breaks through

Florian Wirtz is the latest young gun to appear at Bayer Leverkusen after Kai Havertz. PHOTO: POOL/AFP / Stuart FRANKLIN

A new young star made the headlines for Leverkusen in the absence of Kai Havertz, with Florian Wirtz becoming the youngest goalscorer in Bundesliga history.

Wirtz, who only made his top-flight debut last month, supplanted former Dortmund midfielder Nuri Sahin when he bagged Leverkusen’s consolation goal in the final seconds at 17 years and 34 days old.

“We already knew he was a huge talent, that’s why he has played before,” said Leverkusen coach Peter Bosz.

Emre cans Sancho after rallying Dortmund

Jadon Sancho has been heavily criticised for having a haircut without any protective equipment. PHOTO: POOL/AFP / Lars BARON

Emre Can kept Borussia Dortmund’s faint hopes of winning the title alive with the only goal in a 1-0 win over dogged Hertha Berlin, and quickly tore a strip off young gun Jadon Sancho following the England winger’s haircut controversy.

Can, who struck in the 58th minute to keep Dortmund seven points behind Bayern with four games to play, said Sancho needed to be “more grown up” after being pictured having a haircut with neither the 20-year-old nor the hairdresser wearing any personal protective equipment.

“We need to guide Jadon a bit. He can’t afford to make mistakes like that in the future, and we can always talk to him about that as a team,” said Can.

Reporting and photos: AFP

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Siyam World expands activity line-up with 3K run and race

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Part of the Lifestyle Collection of Sun Siyam, Siyam World has never really done “ordinary.” And with two of its most high-energy island experiences now firmly on the weekly roster, families, groups and anyone with a competitive streak have even more reason to book that trip.

Lace Up: The Siyam World 3K Wellness Run

Every week, guests gather at the start line for the Siyam World 3K Wellness Run, where good vibes meet great views. Clearly marked pathways guide the way to a marathon-style route around the island but the rules are simple: go at your own pace, take in the views, and enjoy the moment. Run it, jog it, or power-walk it with a smoothie in hand. No judgment here. Cross the finish line and you’ll earn an exclusive Siyam World 3K Run badge, the most stylish souvenir you’ll take home, and the ultimate bragging rights for completing a 3K on the most epic island in the Maldives. It’s all about moving, smiling, and enjoying the moment.

Game Faces On: The Amazing Race

For families and groups ready to turn up the heat, The Amazing Race is exactly what it sounds like, chaotic, competitive, and seriously good fun. Teams of up to five kick off at the starting point before racing across the island, completing challenges and hunting down clues at every turn. Five challenges. Multiple locations. Zero time to waste. It’s a test of speed, teamwork and quick thinking with a generous helping of chaos thrown in for good measure. And the rewards? Very worth running for. The winning team takes home a complimentary excursion, second place hits the waves on a banana boat, and third place gets behind the wheel at the Maldives’ first-ever resort based electric go-kart circuit. Not a bad consolation prize.

Whether you’re chasing that runner’s high, racing your kids across the island, or just looking for something a little different from the usual sun-lounger routine, Siyam World delivers. Every experience is designed to bring people together, keep the energy high, and create the kind of memories that don’t fade with the tan.

A World Beyond Your Wildest

Siyam World’s summer offer makes it easier than ever to say yes. Save up to 45% off, enjoy USD 150 resort credit, and settle in to Premium 24hrs WOW! All-inclusive from the moment you arrive. Stay 4 nights and a seaplane transfer is on the house — stay 7 and that extends to two guests, plus a floating breakfast for two. And for families, children under 12 stay completely free when sharing with adults. The only question is how long you can stay. Book your stay now

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SO/ Maldives introduces ‘Fight Fit’ wellness activation

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On Saturday, 25 April 2026, SO/ Maldives will stage its “Fight Fit” island activation as part of the resort’s ongoing 120 Days Fitness Challenge, bringing together fitness, wellness and local collaboration in a resort-wide programme.

Developed in partnership with Fight Soul Maldives, a local fitness collective focused on combat sports, the activation is designed to offer guests both participation and live viewing experiences while also bringing a local element into the resort’s wellness programming.

A key part of the activation is the Muay Thai Guest Workshop, where guests will have the opportunity to train with fighters from Fight Soul Maldives. Open to different fitness levels, the sessions will introduce the basics of Muay Thai through drills, technique-based training and group activity.

The programme will extend across the island through a series of activities including sunrise yoga, beach combat training, aqua yoga accompanied by DJ music, and sunset fight showcases. According to the resort, the aim is to combine physical activity with the island setting through a range of structured wellness experiences.

The activation will also include a healthy menu developed to support fitness and balanced living, in line with the resort’s wider wellness focus.

Guests will also be invited to take part in a skincare workshop and ritual linked to the launch of products from Comfort Zone. The experience will introduce skincare practices based on science and sustainability as part of the broader wellness programme.

In the evening, the programme will continue with foam parties, fire dance performances, and live Muay Thai and kickboxing exhibitions featuring athletes from Fight Soul Maldives.

Through “Fight Fit”, SO/ Maldives is presenting a wellness-led island activation that combines fitness, lifestyle programming and collaboration with local talent.

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Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives introduces indoor mini golf experience

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Resort experiences are increasingly shaped by the need for flexibility, with guests seeking activities that can be enjoyed beyond peak sun hours, creating a natural demand for engaging indoor spaces and particularly in tropical destinations where brief, seasonal rain showers are part of the island rhythm.

Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives builds on this evolving guest preference with the introduction of its new 8-hole Indoor Mini Golf Centre, adding a playful and interactive dimension to the island’s leisure offering. The space was officially unveiled at a recent opening, where a guest was invited to mark the occasion, setting the tone for an experience centred around shared enjoyment and light-hearted moments.

The indoor mini golf course offers a relaxed, air-conditioned space where guests of all ages can take part, whether as a casual game between families, a friendly challenge among couples, or a fun addition to group stays. It provides a comfortable alternative to outdoor activities while maintaining the sense of energy and connection that defines time on the island, regardless of the weather.

The addition builds on the resort’s existing indoor facilities, including billiards, table tennis, and a dedicated kids’ playroom, creating a more rounded leisure experience that caters to different moods and moments. Outdoors, guests can continue to explore a wide range of activities, from beach volleyball and futsal to badminton, diving, and both motorised and non-motorised water sports.

As one of the first resorts in the area to introduce an indoor mini golf experience, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives continues to evolve its offerings in line with how guests choose to travel today, blending activity, comfort, and shared experiences in a setting designed for both relaxation and discovery.

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