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Kayano’s Pact in Captivity
Most of us have heard the name. Most of us have listened to his tunes. But what defines him? What makes him who he is? This is the tale of Kayano, a man who followed his dreams, an example for all of us.
“My story starts at the age of 17. I have always loved music. But back then I didn’t even know how to play the guitar. I had a friend, Mutti, he is still a good friend and my mentor, and he taught me how to play the guitar,” kayano began to tell us his story with enthusiasm.
The first song Kayano sang was named “Kaalhu”, and with that he laid his foundation. After hearing “Kaalhu”, his mentor and friend Mutti supported him and encouraged him to follow his dream. Since then he has continued to develop his music and his skills.
However fate wasn’t too kind to our young artist. “I was becoming better at music, when my life took a sudden turn. Things changed, and I got involved with drugs. Slowly I was pulled into it. I lost myself in the addiction and my music silently slipped away. I couldn’t play, because I didn’t have time for it. I was too much into drugs,” Kayano said, with regret in his eyes.
When Kayano realised how much his life was being controlled by drugs, he sought shelter at a rehabilitation centre. His passion for music and his desire to be free from the grasps of the opiates, helped him to become better. “I played and practiced at the rehab. I even made a lot of songs during my time at the rehab. For example Kudakujja, that is the song that put me out on the spot light. It became a famous song,” Kayano said.
While Kayano was later incarcerated, the time he spent behind bars was also spent on developing his skills as he composed more and more songs. “The best thing about prison was that it opened my eyes. There I met Shaz and Muaa. They promised me that once I got free they would help me release my songs in an album,” Kayano said.
It was a pact made in captivity, but it was the completion of a foundation. Shaz and Muaa, promised Kayano that once he was free from drugs and from prison, they would help him release an album. After he once again became part of the community, his friends protected him from drugs.
“All my friends and peeps that lived in the neighbourhood helped me to stay away from drugs. Then I met Faube. Back then Faube wasn’t very good with the guitar either. But he came to me with the idea of a band. He asked me to create a band so that it would be easier for me to stay away from drugs. I agreed,” Kayano said.
That was the birth of “Traphic Jam”, the band Kayano and Faube created. The band was initially called “Traphic Light”, however it was renamed. The band plays a unique type of music that mixes two genres, rock and grunge music. Initially a fan of grunge music Kayano found Faube to be more of an extreme heavy metal lover. However the two types of music merged to form the bands unique music with its transitioning vocal melodies.
Despite line up changes over time, the two founding members, Kayano and Faube have always been dedicated to the band, making it one of the most successful Maldivian rock bands. The current lineup has Kayano as the lead vocalist, Faube as the lead guitarist, Rimah as the drummer, and Shaan as the bassist. With many successful performances the band has gained popularity among Maldivians as well as foreigners. “Live Help – 2006”, “Sound of a Nation – 2007”, and the “Breakout Festival Maldives” are among some of the famous live events in which the band has performed. The band has also been reputed for their exclusive support for local originals.
Traphic Jam has released two albums, “Dhirithibbas” and “Thy Ehves Baareh Oi Bayeh Noon”. They also released two singles, “Party System” and “Ma OK OK”. Traphic Jam has also performed in United Kingdom, and New Delhi, India, with successful shows. The band has now performed at over a hundred shows, and has captured the hearts of Maldivian youth.
They are also planning to release another album and are preparing for an unplugged show as well. Despite the busy schedule of all of the band members they all have time for the band. “We all have other jobs as well. After the jobs we still have time for the band,” Kayano said.
With its crystal clear message, calling out to the youth of this nation and to those in power, to “stop violence among ourselves”, Kayano and his band is doing a remarkable job. Working towards peace, Kayano reminds us of the pact in captivity that has transformed and healed a man to become a better person. Kayano is an example to all of us who have forgotten what it is like to be humble, to be kind, and to actually care.
We at Maldives Promotion House want you to know, that we are proud of your work, and that we are proud to have you as fellow Maldivians among ourselves. Kayano and Traphic Jam, keep up the good work. The following video is one of the famous video songs of Traphic Jam, “Fasdheefa Dhaathee”.
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort has announced the return of former England striker and Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen for a third Kids’ Football Camp, scheduled from 14 to 17 October 2026.
The four-day programme will be open to children aged five to 13 of all skill levels, with sessions combining football coaching, skills drills and games alongside beach activities and island experiences. The camp will conclude with a Grand Finale on 17 October, when participating children will receive medals and certificates.
Participation in the camp will be complimentary for guests staying at Avani+ Fares Maldives during the event period.
The October programme will mark Owen’s third football camp at the Baa Atoll resort and his second visit to the property this year, following an Easter edition held in late March and early April. The resort first introduced the programme in October 2025.
The inaugural camp ran from 20 to 23 October 2025, followed by a Grand Finale on 24 October. Owen led coaching sessions on the resort’s football pitch, with the programme designed to give young guests opportunities to learn from the former England international while focusing on football skills, teamwork and participation. The first edition was complimentary for eligible children staying at the resort.
Following the response to the first camp, Avani+ Fares brought Owen back for its Easter programme in 2026. More than 30 children and teenagers participated in the second edition, taking part in daily sessions led by Owen and assistant coaches. Training covered areas including dribbling, passing, positioning and teamwork, with sessions adapted for different ages and ability levels.
The second camp also formed part of a wider programme for families, incorporating activities for children and teenagers beyond the football pitch. Participants concluded the programme with certificates and medals, while opportunities were also provided for meet-and-greet sessions, autograph signings and photographs with Owen.
Owen won the Ballon d’Or in 2001 and represented England during an international career that included appearances at three FIFA World Cups. At club level, he played for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Stoke City. His involvement in the Avani+ Fares programme has been centred on introducing younger players to football through training and activities within a resort holiday setting.
The third edition will retain the programme’s focus on children aged five to 13, combining coaching with recreational activities during the October school holiday period. According to the resort’s announcement, the camp will include expert coaching, drills for different skill levels, beach games and island adventures before the final session and awards ceremony on 17 October.
Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort is located on Fares Island in Baa Atoll, within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and close to Hanifaru Bay. The property offers 176 rooms, pavilions, beach and overwater villas and residences, together with seven dining and bar venues. Its family facilities include AvaniKids, a Teens Club and Petit Bistro, a restaurant dedicated to younger guests.
The resort also provides access to snorkelling and diving on its house reef, alongside water sports, tennis, fitness and spa facilities. Avani+ Fares was named Best Beach Resort at the Travel Trade Maldives Awards 2025, following its Best Dive Resort recognition in 2024.
The return of Owen for a third camp continues Avani+ Fares Maldives’ use of sports-led programmes as part of its family offering, bringing the former England striker back to Fares Island less than seven months after his previous camp.
Following the success of her 2025 freediving retreat at Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort, eleven-time freediving world-record holder and ocean conservationist Hanli Prinsloo will return to Baa Atoll this September with an expanded programme across two Minor Hotels resorts.
Hanli will begin with a Family Freediving Retreat at Avani+ Fares Maldives from 7 to 10 September before continuing to NH Collection Maldives Reethi for Into the Blue, a four-night retreat running from 14 to 18 September. Together, the two experiences offer different ways to explore the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, from a playful introduction for families to a more immersive programme for beginners and experienced freedivers aged 16 and above.
At Avani+ Fares, Hanli will introduce parents and children to freediving through breathwork, floating, snorkelling, gentle duck dives and underwater games. The focus is not on depth or competition, but on helping families build confidence in the water, understand their breathing and experience the ocean together at a comfortable pace.
The Family Freediving Retreat will open the resort’s annual Ocean Aware Month, a September programme dedicated to marine discovery and conservation. Activities will include coral conservation and planting workshops, underwater photography and videography sessions, beach clean-ups and PADI speciality courses.
On 17 September, Avani+ Fares will celebrate World Manta Day with marine-inspired art workshops for all ages and snorkelling excursions to Hanifaru Bay, known for its seasonal gatherings of manta rays.
“Baa Atoll keeps calling us back,” said Hanli Prinsloo. “Following last year’s retreat at Avani+ Fares, I am excited to return with a full family programme and to continue the journey at NH Collection Maldives Reethi. At Avani+ Fares, we will make freediving playful and approachable for parents and children. At Reethi, guests will have more time to develop their skills through breathwork, training and exploration. Both retreats are about building confidence in the ocean and understanding why this remarkable environment deserves our care.”
In addition, Hanli will host the four-night Into the Blue retreat at NH Collection Maldives Reethi. Open to guests aged 16 and above who are comfortable swimming, the programme combines yoga, meditation and guided breathing with house reef snorkelling, rope freediving and drift dives. Beginners and experienced freedivers can train together while progressing at their own pace.
The retreat will also include an excursion to Hanifaru Bay, approximately 15 minutes from the resort. At Reethi, guests can continue exploring from the island’s house reef, which supports marine life including angelfish, clownfish, reef sharks and sea turtles.
The three-night Family Freediving Retreat at Avani+ Fares Maldives starts from USD 3,160 per person, based on single occupancy. The package includes accommodation, full board, return seaplane transfers and all retreat sessions. Ocean Aware Month activities are complimentary for resort guests, subject to availability.
The four-night Into the Blue retreat at NH Collection Maldives Reethi starts from USD 4,333 net per adult, inclusive of accommodation on full board, return seaplane transfers and the full retreat programme.
For details and reservations, visit world.nh-hotels.com/en/nh-collection-maldives-reethi, email reservations.nree@nhcollection.com or call +960 660 2626.
JOALI Maldives has announced two exclusive tennis residencies with Grand Slam champions Elena Rybakina and Ana Ivanović, bringing world-class tennis to the island across November and the festive season.
Designed for both adults and younger players, the residencies offer guests the rare opportunity to step onto the court with two of the sport’s most accomplished athletes through intimate clinics and camps that combine technique, confidence, discipline and the joy of the game.
Set within JOALI Maldives’ philosophy of Creative Living, the programme brings a dynamic sporting dimension to island life, creating meaningful opportunities for guests to learn directly from champions while enjoying a highly personalised experience in the Maldives.
Game. Set. Inspire. with Elena Rybakina | 17–23 November 2026
Wimbledon Champion and Australian Open Champion 2026 Elena Rybakina invites guests to experience the game through the eyes of a Grand Slam champion.
Known for her powerful serve, precision and calm determination, Elena made history as Kazakhstan’s first Grand Slam singles champion when she claimed the Wimbledon title in 2022, before adding the 2026 Australian Open title to her achievements. She also reached a career-high ranking of World No. 2 in women’s singles.
Through two exclusive workshops for adults and younger players, guests will have the rare opportunity to train alongside one of the world’s leading athletes while discovering the discipline, focus and joy behind championship-level tennis.
Play Like a Champion with Ana Ivanović | 22–27 December 2026
Former World No. 1 Ana Ivanović brings her passion for tennis and Grand Slam-winning legacy to JOALI Maldives for an exclusive festive-season residency. Celebrated for her powerful forehand, competitive spirit and elegant style of play, Ana captured the 2008 French Open title before becoming World No. 1 in women’s singles and earning global acclaim as a modern tennis icon.
Guests will be invited to share the court with Ana across two exclusive workshops. The 60-minute Tennis Clinic for adults, ages 16 and above, focuses on the techniques, strategy and discipline that shaped her career. The 60-minute Tennis Camp for children ages 4 to 15 offers a lively introduction to tennis, helping young players develop skills, build confidence and find their rhythm on court.
From November through the festive season, the two residencies bring together championship-level sport and JOALI Maldives’ distinctive approach to meaningful guest experiences. With programming created for adults and families alike, guests can discover tennis in an intimate island setting while learning directly from two Grand Slam champions.
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