Look back at 2025 through the lens of Sidibari

From awe-inspiring moments to jaw-dropping frames. From the heartbreakingly painful defeats to the big victories for club and country, here is a retrospective look at the past 12 months through the viewfinder of our photographers.

1. Eclipsed – The Rise of a Futsal Superstar

Aflaaz Ahmed had already earned the title of ‘Most Promising Player in Maldives’ at the GFC. But in the Club Maldives Cup 2025, Aflaaz became the hero of Road Recreation Club’s glorious campaign, winning player of the tournament – the youngest ever to do so.

“This shot was pure instinct”, says Sidibari photographer Abdhullah Iyan Ilyas, who captured the moment after Aflaaz scored against STO in the final. “But I also wanted to make sure the floodlight was eclipsed by his head”. Iyan says he is glad Aflaaz’s face was lit up by the neon scoreboard.

2. Teach Them Young

A sweet gesture of respect by the motorsport community at the ‘Emmenge Drag 2025’ in Addu, captured by Sidibari Head of photography, Mohamed Shabin.

3. Worth Unyielding

A baibalaa athlete touches down outside the ring in spite of being mauled by the opponents. Photograph by Abdhullah Yashau for Sidibari.

4. Pause on the Brink

A skateboarder balances on the coping on Go Skateboarding Day at the Hulhumale’ Skate park. Captured by Sidibari photographer Nihal Abdhul Afeef.

5. Aara’s Crowning Moment

Seventeen-year-old Aara Aasal Azim just before winning gold at the girls’ doubles event at the J-30 Maldives, the very first tournament on home turf which is sanctioned by the International Tennis Federation. Photograph: Mohamed Shabin

6. The North Stands in Ovation

Fans of the national handball team gathered in Kulhudhuffushi City to applaud and cheer for Maldives, at the first-ever Commonwealth Beach Handball Championship.

7. Deadlocked in Stalemate

An official watches closely as two arm wrestlers grip hands and grit teeth at the first Big Game Arm Wrestling Championship back in February.

Iyan had placed an insta360 below the desk just before the game started. Connecting his mobile phone to the camera with an app, he shot the frame not knowing what it might look like.

8. Heartbreak at SABA Qualifiers

A U16 basketball national team player in tears after the defeat against India at the semifinals in SABA Qualifiers of the FIBA Asia Cup. Photographed by Shabin.

9. Turquoise Tumble

An indoor drone shot by Iyan gives a bird’s eye view of a shuttler hitting the floor.

In June, Sidibari was invited to provide photography coverage to Armenia Youth Open – a first-of-its-kind opportunity for a Maldivian Sports Media.

10. Dheema Dethroned

A battle between two greats of Maldivian Table Tennis. Fathmath Dheema Ali keeps her eyes on the ball as Aishath Rafa Nazim prepares to take a serve at the Women’s Singles final of the 63rd National Table Tennis Tournament. “It is a huge privilege; a huge achievement for me to defeat Dheema in a final”, Rafa had said after winning the game on four straight sets.

11. What Childhood Dreams are Made of

Silhouette of a boy taking an overhead shot. A moment that instills nostalgia in every footballer, as befits the famous Pink Floyd line “kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town, waiting for someone or something to show you the way”.

Captured by Sidibari photographer Abdhullah Yashau.

12. A Clash of Kings

Ayaz Ahmed attempts to hold back Ali Hafiz during a game of King’s Cup.

In a sport filled with some of the most popular athletes in Maldives history, these two happen capture the zeitgeist like none other, winning the hearts of tens of thousands of futsal enthusiasts.

Photograph by Nihal Abdhul Afeef.

13. Fingers Crossed

National women’s team on the verge of reaching the Carrom World Cup final.

Photograph by Abdhulla Yashau

14. A Secondary Father’s Death to a Generation of Footballers

On the night of March 22, 2025, Ihusan Abdhul Qani, one of the most influential figures in Maldivian football history, passed away after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 51.

Photograph by Abdhulla Yashau.

15. Little Salt Water Princess

At the very first U18 Girls Surfing Championship, Aaliyah Latheef was crowned the winner, at the mere age of eight.

Photograph by Ahmed Sharuvash Rasheed for Sidibari.

16. Back Like They Never Left

Nothing says ‘club football is back’ like the spectacle of New Radiant fans inside Galolhu Stadium – blaring snares, body-painted mascots and blowing horns.

Almost six years had passed since New Radiant last played in the Dhivehi Premier League.

What makes the Blues special is not just their rich history, but also the fanbase – the biggest and most dedicated in the country.

Photograph by Abdhulla Yashau.

17. Agony of Defeat

A national U16 basketball player lies on the floor after the final buzzer went off against Bangladesh in the semifinal of FIBA ASIA CUP – SABA Qualifiers.

Photograph by Abdhulla Iyan Ilyas.

18. Shadow Play

Following days of storm, the evening sun casted long shadows on the turf of Kendhoo Football Ground as players warm up.

Photograph by Mohamed Shabin.

19. One Last Stride

Sprinter Ibrahim Adam wins the relay race for Shareef Sports of Kulhudhuffushi, at the Association Championships held in Hulhumale’ Track.

“I knew this guy would be animated. That’s why I waited for him to cross the finish line to take this shot”, says Abdhullah Iyan.

20. Into the Guinness Book of World Records

On December 5th, residents from Baa, Haa Dhaalu and Noonu, took part in the world snorkeling record attempt organized by Free Dive Maldives. A total of 307 snorkelers gathered in the lagoon of Siyam World, where Maldives got its name on the book for the most number of people to snorkel at the same time in the same vicinity.

Photograph by Mohamed Shabin.

21. Every Teardrop is a Waterfall

An invincible run up to the final ends in heartbreak as Maldives fall just short of winning the CAVA Women’s Cup. Kyrgyzstan made a comeback to defend the trophy. Prior to the final, Maldives were unbeaten in all four games, including the semis – winning twelve out of thirteen sets.

When you know you’ve given all there is to give for the country, and still could not make it – every teardrop does feel like a waterfall.

22. Man in the Arena

At the opening of Club Maldives Cup, the organizers honored Ali Haafiz with a shield of appreciation. Just days prior, Haafiz had fractured his ankle representing Maldives at the AFC Asian Futsal Cup Qualifiers.

Photograph by Abdhulla Yashau.

23. Dancing Ashore

Riding a 7.0 and a 5.37 wave in the final in Maabaidhoo, Ali Javed won the first ever Bodyboarding category of the Dhivehi Surf League

24. Roar of Kings

Kings Basketball Club player Jidhaadh stares down at the camera after hooping one for the team in the MBA Championships.

Photograph by Mohamed Shabin.

25. Learning to Fly

A young skateboarder hovers over the ramp in Maafushi. “I put my head on the line for this shot”, says Iyan. “One misstep could have been fatal”.

26. Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken

Samooh Ali has captained the Maldives National Team through some of its darkest, most difficult days. Fans waited almost two years to finally see the Red Snappers in action at Galolhu Stadium, only for Maldives to lose its last hopes of making it through the group stage of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers. Despite the heartbreak, Samutte and the team greeted the twelfth man with dignity and humility.

Photograph by Mohamed Shabin.

27. Ping Pong King

Mohamed Shaffan pulls a comeback against Munsif in the men’s final of 63rd National Table Tennis Tournament. The current all-round ‘Athlete of the Year’ winner at the latest Maldives Sports Awards, is ranked among the top 500 Table Tennis players in the world.

28. POV: You are the Hoop

Shabin managed to stick an insta360 onto the rear side of the backboard in the final game of the SABA Qualifiers.

29. Chasing Mavericks in Meemu

Junior National Surfer Mohamed “Kalhu Soru” Inaan in action at Mulikolhu Raalhugandu.

Drone photography by Abdhullah Iyan Ilyas.

30. Redemption of the Green Boys

Maziya Sports and Recreation’s fulfilled what they dreamt of for fourteen years; win back the FAM Youth Championship trophy. In a final marred by heavy rainfall, Maziya crushed Eagles 6-1, as Nassah Ibrahim Nasir delivered four assists and a goal.

Photograph by Abdhullah Iyan Ilyas.

31. Super Girl

Maldivian Badminton player Laiba Ahmed Mahloof celebrates with the national flag after conquering her events at the Armenia Youth Open – winning three gold medals.

Photograph: Abdhullah Iyan Ilyas

32. Mahabs Madness

A fourteen-year-old Yasin Ahmed Nashid scored an impressive 9.30 points to reach the quarterfinals of the Junior Category, at the 4th Asian Surfing Challenge, held in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu.

Photograph: Mohamed Shabin.

32. The Grass has Never Looked Greener

A roaring Hamza Mohamed piggybacks on Aisam as Maziya celebrates after scoring against Odi Sports Club in the final of the FAM League Cup back in May. Maziya would go on to dominate the rest of club football in 2025. Their younger counterparts had won the Youth Championship. The women’s team would later win the Women’s League in December, and Maziya men’s team would remain unbeaten in the DPL through to the New Year.

Photograph by Abdhulla Yashau

33. T-Rex on the Threat

A compilation of T-Rex BC on the attack at the inaugural SABA Club Championship. The Maldivian Basketball Champions defeated Thimpu Majics of Bhutan by 71-47 on that day.

Photograph by Mohamed Shabin.

34. A Shooting Star Lands in Maldives

Maldivian shooting athlete Aishath Eeshal Misbaah embraced by loved ones at Velana International Airport, after winning silver in the Air Pistol Women’s Junior Category at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Cup 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Photograph by Mohamed Shabin.

35. Rage Against “The Machine”

Ahmed Agil “Ammadey” hovers in the air over L.Maabaidhoo’s so-called Machine Wave.

Drone photography by Mohamed Shabin.

36. Can’t Feel the Rain

Animated futsal supporters in Raa Meedhoo climb the fence inside heavy rain – screaming and waving smoke cannisters.

Photo courtesy of Shaamil Ali for Sidibari.

37. Hooligan Happiness

Fans of Wolco United storm the field in Shaviyani Milandhoo as their team pulls a comeback to reach the finals.

Photo by Abdhullah Iyan Ilyas.

38. Splendid Smiley

Representing Maldives on Day 2 of the Asian Surfing Championship, Ismail Rasheed scored a whopping 9.4 points – 4.83 and 4.87 in his third and fourth waves of the day – to reach the third round.

Photograph by Mohamed Shabin.