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Celebrate World Cup with football camp at Lily Beach Resort by Football Freestyle Guinness World Record Holder Marcel Gurk

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The Football World Cup 2022 is right around the corner – the lively football event is set to start in November of this year. Let’s celebrate the World Cup by having a Football Camp in the Maldives where guests can learn some Football Freestyle tricks from the best and also have some Football Training as well. Lily Beach Resort & Spa in the Maldives is set to welcome multiple Guinness World Record holder for football freestyle, Marcel Gurk, in October of this year. The German football freestyle star will be leading workshops at the premium all-inclusive resort in the Maldives for one week – as well as basking in the Maldivian sunshine & hospitality and living the Lily Life.

During Marcel’s stay at the leading all-inclusive resort in the Maldives, as part of World Cup Football Camp event, he’ll be offering guests lessons and workshops, and sharing some of his professional tips and tricks. Guests will be able to enjoy his complimentary 5-day football freestyle clinic as well as opt for private lessons on request for a fee. He also will have a 2-day Football Training class specially curated from his many similar camps that he conducts all around the world. While during his stay, he will also be putting on two football freestyle shows for the guests, showing off the best Guinness World Records-worthy tricks. In addition to that, there will be some fun football matches together with him and other football fans on the island to have not only some learning of tricks but also getting active and burning some calories after eating all that tasty food at the resort.

There is much in store to celebrate the World Cup while at the resort. For instance, on the food & beverages side during this period for a limited time only, the resort will be offering some speciality drinks and food of the major teams competing in the World Cup. In addition, guests joining the football event will get awesome goodies with t-shirts and water bottles and other awards up for grabs when winning special games held everyday after the trainings. The resort plans to have face painting available during this period as well so that guests can showcase their favourite team with fun face paint. The resort urges all guests staying during this period to get in on the fun by bringing along and proudly wearing a jersey of your favourite World Cup team and also to make sure to bring a fun costume to wear during our annual Halloween Parade which happens on the 31st of October. Marcel will be also joining in with the Halloween festivities by bringing his own unique costume this year as well.

Marcel Gurk is the reigning German football freestyle champion, a successful book author, holds 10 Guinness World Records, and is one of the best football freestylers in the world. He made it to the semi-finals in ‘Das Supertalent’, and travels around the world as a football freestyler and social media star – thrilling the audience with his extraordinary tricks.

Lily Beach’s Director of Sales & Marketing, Desislav Gospodinov said: “After multiple successful collaborations with him and receiving glowing feedback from guests for creating an unforgettable experience for their kids and themselves, we knew that we had to bring him and his team back again. During this Halloween and a time leading up to World Cup, to have someone like Marcel coming here is a huge opportunity for our guests to learn something novel such as football freestyling from one of the best freestylers in the world. This exciting activity happening in tandem with celebrating the World Cup and your favourite teams, will certainly be a highlight for our guests of all ages during this School Holidays period (in Europe) and also an opportunity for some of our repeater guests who experienced the camp previously to come again and show how much they have improved and learn more tricks from Marcel as well.”

Marcel will be on hand at Lily Beach from October 22nd to October 31st, just in time to enjoy the resort’s Halloween celebrations happening at the end of October. As Marcel says, “All you need is a ball,” so come on down to Lily Beach during this vacation to have a ball of a time.

He will also be showcasing the resort on his social media – doing some football freestyle tricks throughout the island.

To find out more about the World Cup Football Camp happening this October at Lily Beach and book a stay at the resort, send an email to:  reservations@lilybeachmaldives.com

Excursions

From first visit to thousand dives: Love story anchored at Bandos Maldives

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Bandos Maldives recently marked a significant milestone with two of its most loyal guests, Kate and Andy, who have shared a long-standing connection with the island.

Andy achieved an impressive feat by completing his 900th dive, all undertaken with Dive Bandos. His wife, Kate, surpassed this accomplishment by reaching her 1000th dive, with over 900 of those dives also completed alongside the Bandos team.

The Dive Bandos team joined the couple in celebrating this memorable occasion, recognising not only their dedication to diving but also the enduring bond they have formed with the resort over the years.

Kate and Andy’s relationship with Bandos extends far beyond statistics. Having first visited the island in 2006, they have returned every year since, making Bandos an integral part of their lives. In 2014, the couple even chose to exchange their wedding vows underwater at the resort — a unique moment that forever linked their love story with Bandos.

“Celebrating guests like Kate and Andy reminds us of what Bandos truly represents,” said Ismail Rasheed, General Manager of Bandos Maldives.

For Bandos Maldives, moments such as these exemplify why guests continue to choose the island for both adventure and a sense of belonging. With stories like Kate and Andy’s, Bandos stands not merely as a dive destination, but as a home — both beneath and above the waves.

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Dive into inspiration: Alessia Zecchini at Sun Siyam Olhuveli

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Sun Diving will host a special ocean experience with world champion freediver Alessia Zecchini on 13 October 2025. The event is scheduled to take place at Sunrise Beach, Sun Siyam Olhuveli, from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, offering guests the opportunity to meet the athlete widely recognised as ‘The Deepest Woman in the World.’

Born in Rome in 1992, Zecchini began freediving at the age of 13 and went on to set multiple world and European records. She was the first woman to reach a depth of 100 metres in free immersion and has since achieved 123 metres in constant weight with monofin. Her career has been celebrated internationally, including in the film Vertical Breath and the Netflix documentary The Deepest Breath. She continues to advance the sport while promoting awareness of ocean conservation.

The event at Olhuveli will feature an informative talk where Zecchini will reflect on her freediving journey, achievements, and the importance of protecting the marine environment. Guests will also have the chance to take part in a Q&A session with her and the Sun Diving team. In addition, Sun Diving will organise an interactive beach activity where participants can try scuba and snorkel gear in shallow waters under the guidance of instructors. Guests will also be able to capture photographs, collect autographs, and learn more about diving at the dedicated booth, which will highlight special offers from Sun Diving.

“Welcoming Alessia Zecchini is an honour for us and an inspiration for our guests,” said Ahmed Nihaan, Dive Centre Manager at Sun Siyam Olhuveli. “Her achievements beneath the waves embody both human potential and the importance of protecting our oceans.”

Sun Diving, the official diving division of Sun Siyam Group, provides SSI-certified courses, snorkelling, freediving, and specialty programmes across its Maldives properties. As a subsidiary, it enhances guest experiences with curated dive packages, illustrated dive maps, lifeguard training, and eco-focused initiatives, positioning Sun Siyam as a leader in sustainable marine-based activities.

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Finolhu showcases Maldives’ only PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer

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Dive Butler International, in collaboration with Finolhu, a Seaside Collection Resort, is highlighting the achievements of Mara Restelli, recognised as the Maldives’ only certified PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer.

With this rare qualification, Restelli offers a series of exclusive experiences designed to introduce guests of all ages to the art of mermaiding. The programmes range from playful introductory sessions to advanced courses and professional-level Instructor Development Courses (IDC).

“Mermaiding is more than a trend — it is a joyful way to connect with the water, express creativity, and feel empowered,” Restelli explained. “I enjoy watching guests discover confidence, freedom, and a sense of fun in the ocean. It is as much about transformation as it is about adventure.”

As part of Finolhu’s extensive marine offerings, the PADI Mermaid programmes provide an engaging complement to the resort’s diving and snorkelling activities. Participants may learn to glide gracefully underwater in a mermaid tail, capture striking images during professional photo sessions, or pursue advanced training that strengthens skills and deepens their connection with the ocean.

By hosting the Maldives’ only PADI Mermaid Instructor Development Course, Finolhu reinforces its reputation as a pioneering destination for distinctive and life-enriching marine experiences.

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