The Burunu Lite Addu Edition sport fishing tournament, hosted by Visit Maldives Corporation (VMC) and the Equatorial Fishing Club (EFC) will be held on May 28 in Addu City, marking the first regional edition of the BurunuBoma tournament series to be held in the southern atolls.

The one-day tournament, scheduled to take place in Maradhoo during the Eid al-Adha holiday period, is expected to bring together local anglers, fishing teams and community participants from Addu and other parts of the country. According to organisers, 24 teams have registered for the competition.

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

Organisers stated that the tournament was developed as a regional expansion of the BurunuBoma Global Sport Fishing Tournament, which is held in Malé and attracts international participation. The initiative is also aimed at increasing regional participation in sport fishing and supporting tourism-related economic activity in island communities.

According to VMC, the event is expected to contribute to local businesses, guesthouses and visitor movement within the southern atolls during the Eid holiday period, while also promoting Maldivian fishing culture and marine-based tourism experiences.

The competition will be conducted under international IGFA standards and will include both catch-and-release practices and regulated retention. Organisers stated that retained catch from the event will be sold, with proceeds directed towards charitable causes.

Cash prizes of MVR 35,000, MVR 15,000 and MVR 5,000 will be awarded to the top three teams respectively. Additional awards will also be presented for categories including highest catch count and best-performing angler, with a separate cash prize of MVR 2,000 allocated for the angler recording the highest number of catches.

VMC also announced that registration remains open for the next edition of the BurunuBoma Global Sport Fishing Tournament, scheduled to take place during the third quarter of this year.