Excitement is reaching a fever pitch across Addu City as 24 teams finalize preparations for the highly anticipated Burunu Lite Addu Edition (Ronda Masrace 1447). The one-day sport fishing tournament is set to kick off on 28 May 2026 in Maradhoo.

Organized by the Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) in close partnership with the Equatorial Fishing Club (EFC), this landmark competition marks the very first regional expansion of the flagship BurunuBoma fishing tournament series into the southern atolls. The initiative aims to bring a professional tournament structure directly into local island communities.

A Diverse and Competitive Lineup

The tournament has drawn a broad range of local talent, featuring corporate teams, school clubs, and independent angling groups from Addu City and across the nation. The 24 registered teams competing for the top spots are:

• KGF, Rahaa, Vadhu Keyolhu, Southern Anglers, Team Raskuri, Dark Salt (AVSEC), Club WAMCO, Team MTCC, and Marlin.
• Irushadhiyya School, Team MHC, AFC Anglers, Pro Fishing Maldives, Club AEH, Team Muraka, Fuel Supplies Maldives Pvt Ltd, and Runway 10.
• Customs Recreation Club (CRC), Mylo City Sports Club, Concorde-2, Team Femina, Club Immigration, Kashikola, and NCPLE.

The stakes are high, with lucrative cash prizes and prestigious trophies on the line. The tournament champion will secure MVR 35,000, followed by MVR 15,000 for second place, and MVR 5,000 for third place. Individual skill will also be honored, with a special trophy and a cash prize of MVR 2,000 reserved for the standout "Best Performing Angler" who secures the highest number of catches.

Driving Regional Tourism and Charity

While the main international BurunuBoma event remains the professional core attraction for global participants, the "Burunu Lite" format was intentionally engineered to foster domestic tourism, empower small businesses, and stimulate economic activity within outer atolls. Though Addu City is hosting the inaugural edition, organizers plan to replicate this community-centered format in various other regions across the Maldives in future installments.

Adhering strictly to international International Game Fish Association (IGFA) standards, the competition will balance regulated retention with modern catch-and-release practices. In a strong show of community support, all proceeds generated from the sale of the retained catches will be donated directly to local charitable causes.

Global Tournament Registration Open

Alongside the excitement surrounding the Addu edition, Visit Maldives announced that official registration is now open for the next iteration of the main BurunuBoma Global Sport Fishing Tournament, which is scheduled to take place during the third quarter of this year.

Through targeted sports-tourism initiatives like Burunu Lite, Visit Maldives continues to diversify the nation's travel portfolio, firmly anchoring the archipelago's global reputation as a premier destination for marine sports and authentic, heritage-rich ocean experiences.