Sports Clubs in the Maldives
The most enduring images of the Maldives are those of holiday makers relaxing on the beaches. Though this impression is not far from the truth, sports is a big part of Maldivian life.
Water Sports Centre
The sporting lifestyle revolves mainly around water sports centres that are the mainstay of resort sports clubs. At the least they offer a range of non- motorised sports such as canoeing, wind surfing, catamaran sailing, kite surfing and stand up paddle boarding. Daily aqua aerobics sessions and water polo matches in the pool are the other common sports options. Snorkelling on the house reef is very popular as are day and night snorkelling excursions guided by marine biologists. Snorkelling gear is usually available free from sports centres. Some water sport centres have expanded their repertoire to include powered sports from banana boats to tubes, water skiing, para gliding to wakeboarding and jet skiing.
While surfing is an extremely popular sport, surfers usually go to resorts that have good breaks over their own reefs or are close to the best surfing sites.
Dive Centres
All resorts with house reefs have a Dive Centre that offer scuba diving lessons, orientation and refresher dives, house reef diving, night diving and boat diving at dive spots away from the resort. Diving gear can be rented from Dive Centres. PADI qualified personnel are available for training and to escort dive safaris.
PER AQUUM Niyama Maldives one of dream resorts Maldives offers a range of ways to relax and sporting opportunities to enjoy the destination and its amazing underwater world.
Land Sports
Some resorts with a larger than usual land area have tennis and squash courts where sessions can be booked with resident coaches. Complimentary equipment is available at the sports centre.Shoes, clothing and new balls can be purchased at the sports centre. Table tennis can be played anytime by anyone as tables, bats and balls are available free of charge throughout the day. Organised beach volleyball tournaments are put together by sports centres between staff and guests or among team comprising of guests are a staple at nearly all resorts.
Fitness Centre
The fitness centres part of the sport club, are found at all resorts and are usually open 24 hours a day. The latest cardio and strength gear such as bikes, steppers, cross trainers and treadmills are the equipment generally to be found here. Visitors can join group fitness sessions or book personal training sessions with qualified trainers. Many fitness centres also include a yoga instructor who conducts group and individual classes.
Football Clubs
Maldivians are football crazy and avidly follow the progress of their teams. There are several clubs in the Divehi League that play against each other in local tournaments. The best players also play on the national team.