Velaa Private Island Marks Six Years of Fehikuramaa with Sports Festivals Across Noonu Atoll
- Velaa Private Island's Fehikuramaa initiative held sports festivals reaching 3,034 students across all 13 inhabited islands of Noonu Atoll from 26 August to 10 September.
- Launched in 2021 to address waste management, Fehikuramaa has expanded to cover recycling, composting, water safety, nutrition and healthy living.
- General Manager Mohamed Mausoom said the six-year programme would continue responding to local needs in education, wellbeing and sustainability.
More than 3,000 students across Noonu Atoll took part in sports festivals organised by Velaa Private Island this year, as its Fehikuramaa community initiative shifted its focus towards active lifestyles.
Held from 26 August to 10 September, the festivals reached all 13 inhabited islands of the atoll and involved 3,034 students. The programme began on Hendbadhoo and concluded on Holhudhoo. Activities were designed to encourage movement, teamwork and participation, with an emphasis on enjoying sport rather than competition alone.
Every participating student also received a reusable bottle and tote bag. Velaa Private Island said the items were provided in response to requests from local communities.
Fehikuramaa began in 2021 as part of the resort’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme, initially addressing waste management challenges in Noonu Atoll. Its activities have since covered ocean pollution, recycling, waste separation, composting and gardening. Velaa Private Island has also provided water dispensers and waste-segregation bins, and donated waste shredders to all 13 islands in 2024.
The initiative later expanded to include water safety, nutrition and healthy living. Last year’s programme focused on nutrition and reached all 13 inhabited islands for the first time. This year’s sports festivals continued that broader approach to community wellbeing.
Mohamed Mausoom, General Manager of Velaa Private Island, said the programme had developed over six years through the resort’s work with communities across the atoll. Velaa Private Island said future activities would continue to respond to local needs, including in education, wellbeing and sustainability.
