Ghafoor, who has won numerous awards in international sea sports events, has returned to the Maldivian capital Malé having covered 1,100 miles in just 38 days.

The national sailing team member began his journey on January 31 and has since been travelling solo from one atoll to another on a catamaran.

The objective of the expedition was to promote sailing as a sport to the Maldivian youth.

It is claimed that with the mounting attention of Ghafoor’s sailing exploits, the objective has been achieved as there are said to be numerous children and youths who are now showing an interest in water sports.

The Maldives have participated in every Summer Olympic Games since the tropical island nation made its debut at Seoul 1988.

They have competed in just three sports across seven Games - swimming, athletics and badminton - and have yet to win a medal.

At London 2012, they were represented by five athletes; 100 metre sprinters Azneem Ahmed and Afa Ismail, badminton player Mohamed Ajfan Rasheed, and swimmers Ahmed Husam and Aminath Shajan, who contested the 100m freestyle and 50m freestyle events respectively.