date_range
Sunday 26 Jul 2026
LOCAL EDITION
close
LOCAL EDITION
The Baa Goidhoo Council (BGC) Fulhangi Challenge 2026, held from June 28 to July 5, concluded in spectacular fashion with Baa Goidhoo’s own Hassan Mahir (Hantey) emerging as the undisputed star of the championship, securing the Overall Champion title after winning both the Freestyle and Slalom divisions.
Recognized as one of the Maldives’ leading kiteboarders and watersports athletes, Hantey delivered outstanding performances throughout the week, showcasing consistency, control and elite-level skill across both disciplines.
Freestyle Results
Slalom Results
Speaking to Sun, Hantey said he was absolutely ecstatic to have won not only the Overall Championship, but also both the Freestyle and Slalom titles. “Achieving this on my home island of the Goidhoo makes the victory even more meaningful and unforgettable.
I want to congratulate every competitor who took part in the Fulhangi Challenge. The level of talent, determination, and sportsmanship on display throughout the competition was truly inspiring. It’s exciting to see how quickly kite surfing is growing in the Maldives, and I believe this is just the beginning. I hope we will see even bigger competitions in the future, creating more opportunities for athletes to develop and compete.
I also hope the sport receives greater support from the relevant authorities. One of the biggest challenges for aspiring kite surfers is the high cost of equipment. With more support, many more young people would have the opportunity to take up the sport and represent their communities and the country.”
The championship featured intense competition from start to finish, with athletes from across the Maldives delivering high-quality performances that drew praise from judges, officials, and spectators alike.
Head Judge Mohamed Abduraan (Boabulhi) described the freestyle event as exceptional, highlighting the level of technical skill on display.
“The tricks performed in the freestyle division were of world-class standard. The level of riding we saw shows that this sport is progressing rapidly and has a very bright future in the Maldives.”
Judge Adam Faisal praised the organisers, commending both the Baa Goidhoo Council and the Sports and Youth NGO for the successful execution of the event and their contribution to developing watersports in the island.
The judging panel included:
Live scoring and timely updates were managed by Ahmed “Achu”, ensuring real-time coverage on the BGC Fulhangi Challenge 2026 page via LiveHeats, where all results and heat data remain available for viewers.
Speaking on behalf of Goidhoo Sports Nx Youth NGO, who led the management and worked as a judge as well as commentator, Hassan Nizam, popularly known as Kade, stated that organising such events has been made possible through the strong support of sponsors, local island authorities, and the spirit of community cooperation.
He noted that this collective effort stands as a testament to the hospitality and friendliness of the people of Goidhoo, which continues to make events of this scale both successful and enjoyable to deliver.
Goidhoo Council Vice President Rizwana Aboobakr said the council takes great pride in organizing the event, especially as the island is home to several young athletes who are currently ranked at national level in the sport.
He noted that this collective effort stands as a testament to the hospitality and friendliness of the people of Goidhoo, which continues to make events of this scale both successful and enjoyable to deliver.
Goidhoo Council Vice President Rizwana Aboobakr said the council takes great pride in organizing the event, especially as the island is home to several young athletes who are currently ranked at national level in the sport.
She added that the success of the event reflects the strong unity of the community, thanking all sponsors for their generous support and commending residents for coming together to ensure the event was carried out successfully.
The entire championship was broadcast live on Sun Play, allowing audiences nationwide to follow every moment of the action.
The live updates via Sun Play also received widespread praise for its production quality, with many commending the Sun Siyam Media team for their outstanding coverage, bringing the excitement of the championship to audiences across the Maldives.
The Baa Goidhoo Council Fulhangi Challenge 2026 was supported by Aqua Cube and KTI Investment as Co-Sponsors, Sun Siyam Media as Media Partner, Atoll Cute as Travel Partner, and Dhiraagu as Digital Partner, along with several local sponsors who contributed to the success of the event.
With record participation, elite performances, and strong community backing, this year’s Fulhangi Challenge has been widely regarded as one of the most successful editions to date, further strengthening Baa Goidhoo’s reputation as a growing hub for watersports in the Maldives.
