Football fans across the Gulf have a new reason to swap the pitch for the beach this autumn, as Kandima Maldives welcomes UAE-based professional freestyle footballer Hadiya Hakeem to its three-kilometre island from 23–28 October. Part of the resort’s month-long Oktober Adventures programme, the residency gives families, young players and women who love the game the chance to train, play and compete alongside one of the region’s best-known freestylers, just a short direct flight from the Gulf’s major hubs.
Having grown up playing football in Qatar, Hadiya has built an international following through her creativity, skill and passion for the game. Her journey has taken her to some of football’s biggest stages, including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, alongside brand collaborations and football events across the region. At Kandima, she brings that same signature energy to the island’s football pitch and beaches, with a programme built for every age and ability.
Six Days of Football on the Island
The residency kicks off on 23 October with Opening Day, as guests register for the camp, join family warm-ups and games, and take on a skills assessment and challenges with Hadiya herself. On 24 October, Ball Work Skills gets down to the fundamentals, with dribbling, passing, ball control and shooting, alongside 3v3 challenges and parent-and-child skill activities.
The action then moves to the sand for Island Day on 26 October, with beach games, skill challenges and beach football, before a refreshing water-recovery session at Smoked Beach. Agility & Tournament Day on 27 October picks up the pace, with speed, agility and coordination training, relay competitions, group matches and family penalty shootouts.
Everything builds towards the Grand Finale on 28 October, a full day of family fitness, an all-star match and a Parents vs Kids showdown, followed by the final tournament. Awards and farewell celebrations bring the week to a close.
A Day for Women in Football
At the heart of the week, 25 October is dedicated to Women’s Football Day, a special women-only session led by Hadiya. Participants can look forward to skills training, passing and shooting drills and fun challenges, finishing with a friendly match. For regular players and those picking up a ball for the first time in years alike, it is a relaxed and welcoming space to enjoy the game with one of the region’s leading female footballers.
More to Discover this Oktober
Hadiya’s residency is one of several highlights in Kandima’s Oktober Adventures, which brings sport talent residencies, live music, family-first entertainment and island celebrations to the resort throughout the month. Racing driver Sebastian Melrose takes to Fast Track, the resort’s oceanfront e-go-kart circuit, from 19–26 October, while BM Tennis Lifestyle’s professional coaches are in residence from 11–31 October, with one-to-one coaching, family sessions and tournaments on the court.
Away from the pitch, guests can head out onto open water with the Aquaholics team for jet skiing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and parasailing, or slip beneath the surface for guided dives and snorkels. Evenings bring a run of signature theme nights, from the all-white glow of the White Party to the rhythm-fuelled Latin Night. The month then closes with Halloween Haunted Adventures (30–31 October), with costume-making workshops for little ones, a trick-or-treat treasure hunt and a Halloween Party to round things off.
