Behind the Success: Haiday & Ibbe

When the final whistle blew on the Resort League 2026 Baa Zone, players celebrated, supporters applauded, and another successful chapter of Resort League came to an end. While the excitement unfolded on the futsal pitch, the success of the tournament was the result of months of planning, coordination, and dedication from a team working tirelessly behind the scenes.

Among those leading the operation were Mohamed "Haiday" Haidhar, Director of Engineering, and Ibrahim "Ibbe" Nasir, Cluster Security Manager, two key figures whose leadership played an important role in ensuring every aspect of the tournament was delivered to the highest standard.

For Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort, hosting the Baa Zone for the second consecutive year was more than simply providing a venue. It was about creating an experience that every visiting team, official, supporter, and guest would remember long after the final match.

A Foundation Built Through Experience

Haiday's journey into engineering began long before he entered the resort industry. While still in school on his home island, he carried out electrical work in local homes, developing a passion that later led him to study Electrical Engineering at the Maldives Institute of Technology. Since joining the hospitality industry in 2002 as a General Boat Mechanic, he has continued to embrace new challenges and opportunities across different resorts, building the technical knowledge and leadership skills that eventually led him to become Director of Engineering at Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort.

Ibbe has followed an equally impressive path in hospitality security. Beginning his career in 2011, he progressed through leadership roles at several renowned Maldivian resorts before joining Avani+ Fares Maldives in 2023. Today, as Cluster Security Manager for Avani+ Fares Maldives and NH Collection Maldives Reethi Resort, he oversees security, emergency preparedness, transport operations, and visitor safety across both properties.

Although their professional backgrounds are different, both share one common belief: successful events are built through preparation, teamwork, and attention to detail.

The Work Visitors Never See

While spectators enjoy the matches, countless hours of work take place long before the opening whistle.

For Haiday, the engineering team's responsibility is to ensure every facility is fully prepared and operating flawlessly throughout the tournament. From infrastructure and utilities to venue readiness, every detail must function seamlessly before the first team arrives. Having previously hosted major events such as the Michael Owen Football Camp and PADI AWARE Week, the engineering department entered the Resort League with valuable experience that strengthened its planning and execution.

Ibbe's responsibilities focused on another critical side of the tournament. He coordinated team arrivals and departures, transportation, supporter movements, operational logistics, and security while ensuring players, officials, media representatives, and supporters enjoyed a safe and welcoming environment throughout the league.

Teamwork at the Heart of Every Success

Both leaders agree that hosting an event of this scale cannot be achieved by one department alone.

Engineering, security, transport, hospitality, operations, and event support all worked together under a shared objective of delivering a memorable Resort League experience.

"The success is the result of strong teamwork and the spirit of the Avani+ Fares family," Haiday explained, crediting the resort's management for its continuous guidance and support while praising every team member for contributing with passion and commitment.

Ibbe echoed the same sentiment, describing cross-department collaboration as one of Avani+ Fares Maldives' greatest strengths. According to him, careful planning, previous experience in hosting major sports events, and a service-oriented culture enabled the resort to confidently welcome leading resorts from across the Baa Atoll.

Balancing Hospitality and Sport

Hosting Resort League while operating a luxury resort presents a unique challenge.

For Haiday, guest satisfaction always remains the highest priority. Dedicated committees with clearly defined responsibilities allow the resort to continue delivering exceptional hospitality while simultaneously managing a major sporting event. Careful planning and teamwork ensure neither responsibility is compromised.

Ibbe added that every visitor's experience matters equally, whether they are players, officials, media representatives, supporters, or resort guests. Maintaining smooth transportation, effective communication, and a welcoming atmosphere were all essential parts of creating a successful tournament.

Experience Makes the Difference

Neither Haiday nor Ibbe described the tournament as being without pressure, but both credited previous experience for helping the resort manage the event confidently.

Having already hosted Resort League once before, alongside international football camps and other major events, Avani+ Fares entered the 2026 Baa Zone with established systems, experienced personnel, and a clear understanding of what was required to deliver another successful tournament.

For Haiday, the busiest period came during the knockout rounds, where larger crowds and passionate supporters required detailed planning for safety and crowd management.

The Most Rewarding Moment

Despite months of preparation, both leaders found satisfaction in different moments.

For Haiday, it was receiving positive feedback from the participating resorts after the tournament concluded. Knowing that visiting teams appreciated the effort and hospitality of the Avani+ Fares team provided motivation to continue improving future editions.

For Ibbe, the defining moment came after the last visitor departed the resort.

Only then, after days of continuous coordination and responsibility, did he fully appreciate what the team had achieved.

"It gave me a deep sense of pride, relief, and accomplishment," he reflected, describing it as confirmation that every hour of preparation had been worthwhile.

More Than a Tournament

For both Haiday and Ibbe, Resort League represents far more than a sports event.

It is an opportunity for hospitality professionals from across the Maldives to come together through sport, friendship, teamwork, and mutual respect. It is also an opportunity for Avani+ Fares Maldives Resort to showcase its commitment to excellence—not only as a luxury destination, but as a trusted host capable of delivering memorable sporting events.

The successful hosting of the Resort League 2026 Baa Zone reflects the dedication of many individuals working behind the scenes. Through the leadership of Haiday and Ibbe, together with the commitment of the entire Avani+ Fares Maldives team, the resort once again delivered a memorable experience for everyone involved.