The Maldives is set to host its inaugural Thoddoo Masters Table Tennis Tournament (TMTT) from August 19–25, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the country’s emerging sports tourism strategy. Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) has been announced as the Destination Partner for this groundbreaking event, which promises to showcase the nation’s potential beyond traditional beach tourism.
Organized collaboratively by Thoddoo Local Authority Company (TLAC) and Ihaa Table Tennis Academy (ITTA), the tournament has received high-level endorsements from the Ministry of Sports, Fitness and Recreation, the Table Tennis Association of Maldives, and Visit Maldives Corporation.
The tournament will bring together 120 international and local players aged 35 and above, transforming Thoddoo’s multi-purpose school hall into a vibrant sporting arena. Beyond competitive play, the event represents a strategic initiative to diversify the Maldives’ tourism offerings and demonstrate the country’s capacity to host world-class sporting events.
Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO & Managing Director of Visit Maldives Corporation, emphasized the broader significance of the tournament: “This event underscores our commitment to expanding the Maldives’ tourism horizon. Sports tourism is a rapidly growing sector, and by supporting international tournaments like TMTT, we are repositioning the Maldives as more than a leisure destination—we are establishing it as a vibrant hub for sports, wellness, and lifestyle experiences.”
The tournament is strategically designed to create multiple benefits, including:
• Facilitating cultural exchange between international and local participants
• Generating economic opportunities for the Thoddoo community
• Enhancing the Maldives’ global image as a versatile destination
• Promoting sports tourism as a key component of national tourism strategy
By hosting this international event, the Maldives demonstrates its ambition to move beyond traditional tourism models. The TMTT represents a forward-thinking approach that leverages sports as a powerful tool for destination branding, community development, and international engagement.
The tournament’s multi-dimensional approach aligns perfectly with the country’s vision of becoming a leading sports tourism destination. It showcases the Maldives’ ability to offer unique, compelling experiences that go far beyond its renowned natural beauty and luxury resorts.
As the first of its kind, the Thoddoo Masters Table Tennis Tournament signals a new era of sports and tourism integration in the Maldives. It promises not just a sporting competition, but a comprehensive platform for cultural exchange, economic development, and international collaboration.