AGP Executive Report

Sports Awards: Nepal Sports Journalists Forum named five nominees for the People’s Choice category at the 23rd Pulsar Sports Award—volleyball, football, karate, cricket and MMA—ahead of the Sept 3 ceremony. Arts & Heritage: President Muizzu inaugurated “Vaahaka Vau,” a walk-through heritage park in Utheemu telling Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu’s independence battle through an immersive art-and-nature story forest. Maldives Resort Culture: Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa is rebranding into Mondrian Maldives, positioning the change as an “evolution” that keeps the guest relationship while adding the Mondrian framework. Community & Youth: Bank of Maldives announced five Bank Fund 2026 recipients, backing projects from a digital innovation hub and makerspace to eco and agro-processing initiatives. Sports Recognition: Maldivian football coach Ihusan Abdul Ghanee (“Saanthi”) received a National Award posthumously for decades of coaching and training. Luxury Travel Spotlight: Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 Edge List includes Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Secret, highlighting Maldives “curated journeys.” Wellness & Creative Residency: W Maldives announced neuroscientist Anne-Sophie Fluri for “The Restore Ritual” wellness residency in September.

Human Rights & Heritage: Parliament has received nominations for the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives seat, with President Muizzu prioritising Shamoon Hameed alongside current member Samaau Ahmed Najeeb for review by the Human Rights Committee. National Day Through Art: President Muizzu inaugurated “Vaahaka Vau,” a walk-through heritage park in Utheemu that uses immersive displays and a Story Forest to narrate Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu’s independence struggle. Resort Rebrand (Noonu Atoll): Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa is evolving into Mondrian Maldives, aiming to bring the Mondrian brand identity while keeping what guests already love. Sports & Community: Bank of Maldives’ Bank Fund 2026 names five NGO recipients, including a digital resilience hub in Dhidhdhoo, an eco-park and pond restoration in Funadhoo, and makerspace support for students. Arts & Music: The International Artists Project is set to release its second major album on Aug 28, with Maldivian artist Ahmed Adhuham already credited as the Maldives representative on the World Album. Wellness Residency: W Maldives announced neuroscientist Anne-Sophie Fluri for a Restore Ritual residency (Sep 14–20). Travel/Arts Spotlight: Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 Edge List includes Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Secret. Fitness Event: Dhiraagu opens registration for the Maldives Road Race 2026 (Nov 20) with new team categories.

Maldives National Day culture: President Dr Mohamed Muizzu inaugurated “Vaahaka Vau”, a walk-through heritage park in HA. Utheemu that uses art and nature to tell Boduthakurufaanu’s independence story from the 1558 occupation of Male’ to the 1573 victory. Sports & community: Tree Top Hospital continues as official medical partner of the Maldives Half Marathon 2026, with on-site support and pre-race health checks. Football legacy: Ihusan Abdul Ghanee (“Saanthi”) received a National Award of Recognition posthumously for decades of coaching and technical leadership in Maldivian football. Luxury travel spotlight: Forbes Travel Guide named Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Secret to its 2026 Edge List, highlighting Maldives-led “curated journeys.” Youth & fitness: Dhiraagu opened registrations for the Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race 2026 (20 Nov), adding new corporate, resort, running club and university team categories. Arts & music: The International Artists Project plans a second major album release on 28 Aug, with Maldivian musician Ahmed Adhuham featured as the Maldives representative. Community funding: Bank of Maldives announced five Bank Fund 2026 recipients, backing projects from a digital resilience hub in Dhidhdhoo to eco and makerspace initiatives across the atolls. Festive Maldives hospitality: Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives unveiled four themed Christmas and New Year celebrations across its islands.

Sports & Community: Tree Top Hospital returns as official medical partner for the Maldives Half Marathon 2026 for a third straight year, running health checks at the Running Expo and providing on-site medical support across multiple stations. National Recognition: Football coach Ihusan Abdul Ghanee (“Saanthi”) receives the National Award of Recognition posthumously, honoured by President Muizzu for decades of coaching and technical leadership. Tourism & Luxury (Forbes): Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Secret make Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 Edge List, spotlighting Maldives stays built around curated, multi-experience journeys. Festive Island Culture: Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives unveils four themed Christmas and New Year celebrations across its resorts, from starry galas to “Around the World” festivities. Youth & Arts/Wellness: JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING extend summer programming with art-immersive experiences, wellness residencies, and family-focused activities. Local Funding for Development: Bank of Maldives announces the five Bank Fund 2026 recipients, backing community projects like digital resilience hubs, eco parks, agro-processing, makerspaces, and jetty-area facilities. Sports Registration: Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race 2026 opens registration for 20 November, adding new corporate, resort, running club, and college/university team categories.

Youth & Culture: President Muizzu and MP Ahmed Siyam Mohamed marked International Youth Day with a “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations” message, stressing education-to-work opportunities and youth empowerment. Community Arts & Learning: Bank of Maldives (BML) announced the five Bank Fund 2026 recipients, including a digital innovation hub in Dhidhdhoo, a makerspace for Sh. Atoll School, and eco/agro projects across atolls—supporting creativity and local development. Island Festivities: Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives unveiled four themed Christmas and New Year celebrations across its islands, from starry “Galaxy of Dreams” at Velifushi to “Around the World” festivities at Hakuraa Huraa. Music & Wellness: W Maldives announced neuroscientist/wellness innovator Anne-Sophie Fluri for “The Restore Ritual,” part of its Wavemaker Edit series. Arts-Immersive Family Fun: JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING launched end-of-summer programmes blending art, ocean experiences, and creative workshops for families. Sports & Community: Dhiraagu opened registrations for Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race 2026, adding new corporate/resort/running-club/university team categories. Music Project: International Artists Project (IAP) set to release its second major album on Aug 28, with Maldivian artist Ahmed Adhuham previously representing the Maldives.

Maldives Youth & Community: President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and MP Ahmed Siyam Mohamed marked International Youth Day with a shared message of “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” stressing education, dignity, and pathways into work. Arts & Culture in the Maldives: JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING are running end-of-summer family programmes built around art, ocean experiences, and wellness, including artist Raya Mansoor’s large-scale work and JOALI’s cinema and creative camps. Sports & Fitness: Dhiraagu opened registrations for the Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race 2026, adding new corporate, resort, running club, and university team categories. Music & Entertainment: International Artists Project is set to release its second major album on Aug 28, with Maldivian duo 2 of Us’s Ahmed Adhuham featured as the Maldives representative. Festive Season (Resorts): Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives unveiled four themed Christmas and New Year celebrations across its islands, from “Galaxy of Dreams” at Velifushi to “Around the World” at Hakuraa Huraa. Wellness Residency: W Maldives announced neuroscientist Anne-Sophie Fluri for “The Restore Ritual” (Sept 14–20, 2026). Community Funding: Bank of Maldives’ Bank Fund 2026 named five NGO/community recipients, including a digital innovation hub, eco-park restoration, a makerspace, and climate-smart agro-processing.

Community Funding: Bank of Maldives (BML) has announced the five recipients of “Bank Fund 2026,” backing Maldives NGOs with MVR 200,000 each—ranging from a digital innovation and resilience hub in Dhidhdhoo to eco and farming projects in Funadhoo, Laamu, and Gan, plus a makerspace at Sh. Atoll School and a new community facility near Kalaidhoo Jetty. Festive Hospitality: Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives is rolling out four themed Christmas and New Year celebrations across its islands, from a “Galaxy of Dreams” starry programme at Cinnamon Velifushi to “Around the World” festivities at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa. Wellness & Mental Fitness: W Maldives will host neuroscientist and meditation coach Anne-Sophie Fluri for “The Restore Ritual” (Sept 14–20, 2026), blending science-led mindfulness with immersive island experiences. Arts & Culture: JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING are running end-of-summer family programmes focused on creativity, wellbeing, and nature, including art-immersive activities and wellness residencies. Sports & Youth: Dhiraagu opened registrations for the Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race 2026 (Nov 20, 2026) with new corporate, resort, running club, and university team categories.

Bank Fund 2026: Bank of Maldives (BML) has named five NGO/community projects to receive MVR 200,000 each, including a digital innovation hub in Dhidhdhoo, an eco-park and pond restoration in Funadhoo, an agro-processing value hub in Laamu, a makerspace at Sh. Atoll School, and “Kalaidhoo Wings Hiyaa” near the Kalaidhoo jetty. Festive Hospitality: Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives is rolling out four themed island celebrations for Christmas and New Year, from starry “Galaxy of Dreams” at Velifushi to global-style festivities at Hakuraa Huraa. Wellness & Mindfulness: W Maldives will host neuroscientist and wellness innovator Anne-Sophie Fluri for “The Restore Ritual” (Sept 14–20), blending neuroscience, mindfulness, and island experiences. Community Sports & Youth: Dhiraagu has opened registrations for the Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race 2026 (Nov 20) with new corporate/resort/running club/university team categories, while President Muizzu and MP Ahmed Siyam marked International Youth Day with renewed calls for youth empowerment. Arts & Culture: JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING are running summer programmes featuring art-immersive experiences, international creatives, and family-focused activities through late August. Music Spotlight: One&Only Reethi Rah has announced Jessie J as the headliner for its New Year’s Eve live performance (Dec 31, resort guests only).

Youth & Community: Maldives Development Alliance MP Ahmed Siyam Mohamed and President Muizzu both marked International Youth Day with a shared message of “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” stressing dignity, education, and pathways from training into work. Music & Culture: The International Artists Project is set to release its second major album on Aug 28, with Maldivian artist Ahmed Adhuham representing the Maldives. Sports & Fitness: Dhiraagu opened registrations for the Dhiraagu Maldives Road Race 2026 (Nov 20) with new corporate/resort/running-club/university team categories, while Dhiraagu also launched DMGC 2026 esports qualifiers (MLBB and Rocket League) ahead of a bigger main event. Arts & Entertainment: JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING are running summer programmes blending art, wellbeing, nature, and family activities, and Kuda Villingili is bringing Halloween to Kuda Villingili Maldives with themed dining and kids’ creative events. Travel & Hospitality: Forbes Travel Guide unveiled its 2026 Edge List, and Visit Maldives partnered with Ooredoo as digital partner for World Travel Awards Asia-Pacific-Indian Ocean 2026. Tech & Design: Habeys reopened Maldives’ first smart studio with automated lighting, climate control, and voice control.

Music & Culture: The International Artists Project is gearing up to release its second major album on Aug 28, 2026, with Maldivian artist Ahmed Adhuham (2 of Us) again representing the Maldives. Youth & Society: President Muizzu reaffirmed his commitment to youth empowerment on International Youth Day, stressing education-to-work opportunities and national apprenticeship and service programmes. Tourism, Arts & Entertainment: JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING are rolling out family-focused summer programming with art-immersive experiences, Cinema Under the Stars, and wellness residencies. Resort Live Music: One&Only Reethi Rah has announced Jessie J as its New Year’s Eve headliner for resort guests. Wellness: W Maldives welcomes neuroscientist Anne-Sophie Fluri for a September 14–20 mental fitness residency. Gaming & Community: Dhiraagu opened registrations for DMGC 2026 qualifiers, including MLBB and Rocket League, with a MVR 150,000 prize pool. Tech & Creativity: Habeys Boduberu Group reopened Maldives’ first smart studio, upgrading lighting, cooling, security and energy management. Sports & Lifestyle: BML WeRun – Corporates held the Maldives’ first corporate relay race at Crossroads Maldives, bringing 18 teams together.

Maldives Gaming: Dhiraagu opened registrations for the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Rocket League qualifiers for DMGC 2026, with a big MVR 150,000 prize pool and qualifiers running until Aug 13 (MLBB) and Aug 17 (Rocket League). Resort Entertainment: Joy Island Maldives launched Joy Arcade, its first dedicated gaming room with VR and simulator stations for guests to play daily. Wellness & Culture: W Maldives announced neuroscientist/wellness innovator Anne-Sophie Fluri for “The Restore Ritual” (Sep 14–20, 2026). Art & Craft Tech: Habeys Boduberu Group reopened Maldives’ first smart studio, using automated climate, lighting, and security features. Sports & Community: BML WeRun – Corporates held the Maldives’ first corporate relay race at Crossroads Maldives, bringing 18 teams together. Resort Updates: Oaga Art Resort Maldives reopened Aug 1 with an island-wide refresh, including a bigger Kaa Kada dining space. Local Arts/Design: One&Only Reethi Rah revealed Jessie J as the headliner for its 2026 New Year’s Eve gala. Fashion & Retail (regional): Apparel Group partnered with Knowledge Economic City to bring 24 retail and dining brands to Multaqa AlMadinah Mall in Saudi Arabia.

Parliament & Privacy: Maldives Home Minister Ali Ihusan defended sharing a suicide victim’s message interactions with a state victim support service, saying it was meant to counter “organized efforts” to discredit police—sparking fresh backlash over confidentiality. Resort Entertainment: Joy Island Maldives launched Joy Arcade, its first dedicated gaming room with VR and simulation stations, adding indoor play to the resort’s beach-and-lagoon lifestyle. Spa Leadership: The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort appointed Sinta Herna Septiana as Spa Manager at Heavenly Spa by Westin, bringing Marriott wellness leadership back to the Maldives. Gaming & Youth Culture: Dhiraagu opened registrations for DMGC 2026 qualifiers, including Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Rocket League, with a large prize pool and routes into the main event. Sports & Community: The Maldives held its first corporate relay race, BML WeRun – Corporates, at Crossroads Maldives, bringing 18 teams together for a team-health push. Hospitality Updates: Oaga Art Resort Maldives reopened after a refresh, expanding dining spaces and updating guest villas while keeping its art-first identity. Festive Maldives: Adaaran Resorts unveiled “When the Island Blooms” for the festive season, with glowing installations, romantic events, and Christmas celebrations across its Maldives properties.

Politics & Governance: Former President Abdulla Yameen says he would choose President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu over the opposition MDP, while also rejecting calls to switch the Maldives to a parliamentary system. Smart Hospitality: Habeys Boduberu Group reopened the Maldives’ first “smart studio,” using geo-fencing, voice-controlled lighting, and facial-recognition security. Resort Reboot: Oaga Art Resort Maldives reopened on 1 August with refreshed villas and a bigger, upgraded Kaa Kada dining experience. Festive Maldives: Adaaran Resorts unveiled “When the Island Blooms” for Christmas, with romantic dinners, glowing island installations, and New Year celebrations. Esports & Youth Culture: Dhiraagu opened registrations for DMGC 2026 qualifiers—MLBB (until Aug 13) and Rocket League (until Aug 17)—with a MVR 150,000 prize pool. Community Sport: BML WeRun – Corporates held the Maldives’ first corporate relay race at Crossroads Maldives, bringing 18 teams together. Open-Water Swimming: Dhiraagu and Swim Maldives announced Clean-Up & Social Swim events at Rasfannu (Aug 8 & 15) ahead of the Dhiraagu Malé Open (Aug 21–22). Wellness Media Partnership: Revive Fitness signed on as official fitness partner for SSTV’s “Saigadi,” bringing home-based training-style segments to viewers. Arts & Design in Travel: Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa promoted Ahmed Shujau to Director of Food & Beverage, continuing its push for guest experience.

Smart Studio Launch: Habeys Boduberu Group has reopened what it calls the Maldives’ first “smart studio,” using geo-fencing, satellite-powered detection, voice control via Siri, and facial-recognition security—plus a solar-capable backup system for power cuts. Gaming & Esports: Dhiraagu opened registrations for DMGC 2026 qualifiers, with Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (deadline Aug 13) and Rocket League (deadline Aug 17) feeding into a main event with a big MVR 150,000 prize pool. Sports Community: BML WeRun – Corporates marked the Maldives’ first corporate relay race at Crossroads Maldives, bringing 18 teams together with one-kilometre legs and timing chips in the batons. Open-Water Swim Build-Up: Dhiraagu and Swim Maldives announced Clean-Up & Social Swim events at Rasfannu ahead of the Dhiraagu Malé Open (Aug 21–22), with registration extended to Aug 9 and a new 500m team relay. Resort Reboot & Festive Season: Oaga Art Resort Maldives has reopened with an island-wide refresh, while Adaaran Resorts is rolling out “When the Island Blooms” for Christmas with romance-led events and glowing installations. Hospitality Upgrades: Sun Siyam Vilu Reef unveiled 50 new Ocean Signature Villas with pool and slide, and Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa promoted Ahmed Shujau to Director of Food & Beverage.

Local TV & fitness: Revive Fitness has signed on as the official fitness partner of SSTV’s morning show “Saigadi,” adding home-based personal training-style segments aimed at healthier lifestyles—especially for island viewers with limited gym access. Esports & youth culture: Dhiraagu has opened registrations for DMGC 2026 qualifiers, with MLBB entries running until Aug 13 and Rocket League until Aug 17, plus a MVR 150,000 prize pool for the main event. Sports community: The Maldives held its first corporate relay race, BML WeRun – Corporates, at Crossroads Maldives, bringing 18 teams together and using timing chips in relay batons. Open-water swimming push: Ahead of the Dhiraagu Malé Open, Dhiraagu and Swim Maldives are hosting Clean-Up & Social Swim events at Rasfannu on Aug 8 and Aug 15, with registration extended to Aug 9 and a new 500m team relay. Hospitality & wellbeing: Sun Siyam Vilu Reef unveiled 50 new Ocean Signature Villas with pool and slide, while Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa promoted Ahmed Shujau to Director of Food & Beverage.

Esports & Youth Culture: Dhiraagu Maldives Gaming Conquest (DMGC) 2026 opens registrations for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Rocket League qualifiers, with a MVR 150,000 prize pool and pathways to the main event. Community Sport: BML WeRun – Corporates held the Maldives’ first corporate relay race at Crossroads Maldives, bringing 18 teams together with timing chips in relay batons. Open-Water Swimming: Dhiraagu and Swim Maldives announce Clean-Up & Social Swim warmups at Rasfannu ahead of the Dhiraagu Malé Open (Aug 21–22), with registration extended to Aug 9 and a new 500m team relay. Hospitality & Wellbeing: JOALI founder Esin Güral Argat spotlights a wellbeing-first luxury model, while Sun Siyam Vilu Reef debuts Ocean Signature Villas with Pool and Slide. Arts & Culture in Travel: Diamonds Thudufushi joins Preferred Hotels & Resorts Lifestyle Collection, boosting global visibility for Maldivian island experiences.