Soneva, the pioneering luxury eco-resort operator in the Maldives and Thailand, will bring a star-studded lineup of international sports legends to its award-winning Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani (pictured) resorts in the Maldives throughout this year. As part of its “Soneva Stars” calendar of visiting experts from the worlds of food, literature, sports, wellness and more, Soneva will welcome such soccer and rugby superstars as World Cup champion David Villa, former FC Barcelona defender Rafael Márquez and soccer freestyling sensation Marcel Gurk.
From July 20-31, David Villa, who is hailed as one of the best soccer strikers of all time, will be in residence at Soneva Jani in the Noonu Atoll of the Maldives. Villa is a FIFA World Cup champion, UEFA Champions League winner and the Spanish National Team's all-time leading goal scorer. After his retirement, he founded his own company, DV7 Group, offering soccer camps and clinics for boys and girls around the world.
Regarded as one of the best Mexican soccer players of all time, Rafael Márquez, the current youth coach of the Spanish Tercera División club Alcalá, will be putting young Soneva guests through their paces during a series of soccer camps from July 25–August 8 at Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll. Additionally, soccer freestyling sensation Marcel Gurk will be hosting daily workshops from July 1–13 for both Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani’s youngest guests.
Come Fall 2022, world cup-winning English rugby player Ben Cohen will be helping guests at both Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani stay in shape during his renowned fitness workshops from October 15–30. Following his visit to Soneva Fushi over Easter, Soneva Stars’ regular and former French international player Mikaël Silvestre will be making a welcome return to the Maldives to host his ever-popular children’s soccer camps in both October and December 2022 at Soneva Jani. And during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar from November 21-December 18, Silvestre will also be at Soneva Fushi as a resident commentator on the cup games, while Côte d’Ivoire-born professional soccer star Yaya Touré will be live-commentating from Soneva Jani.
To see the full roster of upcoming “Soneva Stars,” visit: https://soneva.com/events/, and for more information about Soneva resorts, visit; www.soneva.com
