Water sportsman Abdul Ghafoor, born to Shaviyani atoll Feydhoo island, will embark on the first venture to sail around the Maldives in a Catamaran next Saturday. He has completed nearly all preparations for this ambitious undertaking which he will challenge alone. “I still swim and exercise every day. I have to be extremely fit for the trip,” Ghafoor told Haveeru. The aim of his “Sailing Around Maldives” event is to accomplish the challenge within 23 days. During the journey, Ghafoor will stop over at 23 islands to document their beauty and stories for promotion. Event organiser Atoll Sailor had originally scheduled to begin the sailing trip this Thursday from capital Male. However, it was pushed back due to recent bad weather. Meanwhile, Ghafoor expressed confidence that he can keep sailing through rain as long as he does not encounter ocean storms. “These are the perfect days for travelling. High winds will make travelling (sailing) easier, but I can’t travel if there is a storm.” Ghafoor added that the ocean and weather are not things he takes lightly. Hence, should the authorities warn against the trip, he will retreat. “I’m not stronger than our Creator. And so, in case of thunderstorms and the like, I will respect that and cancel my trip,” he said. Great support for Ghafoor’s upcoming endeavour Public support for Ghafoor’s tremendous venture has been mounting. Several of his friends staying overseas are also returning to the Maldives to check on him and his trip, and they are stationed in the islands he will visit on his journey. “I have friends in various countries. They’re all very excited. Some of them are coming over to see how my trip goes,” said Ghafoor. A glance at Ghafoor’s achievements National Windsurfing Championship – Freestyle champion (2004, 2006, 2009, 2015) Southampton Queen’s Cup – Dinghy Sailing, Open Windsurfing 1st place National Catamaran Sailing – Champion (2009) Topcat Open Sailing – Champion (2009) National Catamaran Sailing Championship – 2nd place Indian Ocean Island Games’ sailing team event – 4th place Indian Ocean Island Games’ sailing laser standard – 7th place Ghafoor was described by water sports instructor and dive master Mohamed Shameem as a role model water sports teacher, especially for children, which is a field consisting of very few locals. Commenting on the scale of the sailing around Maldives challenge, Shameem added, “Very few people are capable of taking on something like this.” Meanwhile, Ghafoor revealed that he has been receiving invitations from several islands to stop over during his journey. However, the islands ultimately chosen were based on his route. Abdul Gafoor in a promo shot for his 23-day Catamaran sail around Maldives. PHOTO/ATOLL SAILOR Ghafoor will embark from Male on Saturday morning to Vaavu atoll, which lies south. He estimated that he can reach Vaavu that evening. The adventurer’s trusty vessel to bear him on his journey is also special. The 18 feet long sailing Catamaran is the newest design of Catamaran sport pioneer Topcat, which was released this year. All the resorts in the Maldives feature Topcat Catamarans. Haveeru Media Group is the online partner of Ghafoor’s Sailing Around Maldives’ event to document and promote the sights of Maldives for tourism.