The Maldives edition of the globally recognised open-water swimming franchise, Oceanman Global, has officially commenced in K. Maafushi, bringing together 532 swimmers from 40 countries and marking a significant milestone for sports tourism in the country.
The three-day event, which began on Thursday, has been inducted into the Maldives Book of Records for the largest international participation in a sporting event held in the Maldives. Of the total participants, 385 swimmers — accounting for 72.37 percent — are international athletes, while 147 are Maldivians. India represents the largest foreign delegation, with 54 swimmers taking part.
The official opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation Abdulla Rafiu, who described the event as a key step in strengthening the Maldives’ position as a global sports destination. He emphasised that promoting sports tourism remains a central government policy, noting that Oceanman Maldives directly contributes to achieving this objective.
During the ceremony, a Visit Maldives Book of Records commemorative coin was presented to the local organisers, Swim Maldives, in recognition of the event’s record-setting participation.
Organised by Swim Maldives under the Oceanman Global franchise and endorsed by Visit Maldives, the competition follows international standards for safety and race execution. Established around a decade ago, Oceanman now hosts events in more than 26 countries annually.
The competition features multiple race categories across varying distances, including the 10-kilometre endurance race — the longest competitive swimming event held in the Maldives to date — with 46 participants. Other categories include the 5-kilometre race with 143 swimmers and the 2-kilometre event with 181 participants. Additional segments such as the OceanFins race, OceanKids programme and team relay events are also being held, allowing participation across different age groups and skill levels.
The event is scheduled to continue until Sunday, further reinforcing the Maldives’ growing presence as a host of international sporting events.
