Zeppo Sports Club stunned by defeating BG Sports Club widely regarded as the “kings of Baibalaa” to win the Eid Baibalaa 1447 championship.

Baibalaa, a traditional Maldivian contact team sport similar to kabaddi, has seen strong competition this year, with teams investing heavily in preparation.  

The victory marks the first time a club from Hulhumale' has claimed the title, which had previously been dominated by Male' based teams. Zeppo also completed the tournament unbeaten, winning all their matches in the double elimination format.

BG, featuring several former Mr Baibalaa winners, took the first game of the final. Coming from outside, Faraha Shaam turned the match in their favor, eliminating three players in just over three minutes to seal a 9-4 win.

However, Zeppo responded in the second game, again attacking from outside to edge ahead 6-5 with just over two minutes remaining. The turning point came when Zeppo’s Mohamed Nawwaaf (Maaky) eliminated Faraha Shaam.

Gadha Hifun saw both teams level after four rounds, with two wins each. A draw determined the fifth round, where Nawwaaf secured the title for Zeppo by tagging BG’s Ahmed Mohamed (Ammadey) inside the ring.

The 23-year-old Nawwaaf was named Mr Baibalaa of the tournament, capping an outstanding tournament ride that included eliminating six players in a single raid during the quarter-finals.

Odi Sports Club won the fair play award and were also named fans’ favourite team, while Abdullah Mohamed of Kaasinjee was voted fans’ favourite player.

Zeppo’s coach Farish Khalid was named best coach after guiding the team to the title, following a semi-final finish in their debut season last year.

The tournament’s top five players included BG’s Mohamed Mirusal Yasir (Miroo) and Faraha Shaam, alongside Zeppo’s Nuhad Rasheed, Abo and Nawwaaf.