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Mauritius: The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, in collaboration with the Mauritius Olympic Committee (MOC), organised on Saturday, 08 July 2023, the Olympic Day Run Event and the first gathering of the pre-selected athletes for the Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG) 2023 at the Pointe Jérôme National Outdoor Education and Recreation Centre and the Blue Bay Beach Arena.
The Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, Jean Christophe Stephan Toussaint, the Minister of National Infrastructure and Community Development, Mahendranuth Sharma Hurreeram, the President of the MOC, Mr Philippe Hao Thyn Voon, and other personalities were present at the occasion.
The Olympic Day Run started at the Pointe Jerome National Outdoor Education and Recreation Centre. It culminated at the Blue Bay Beach Arena, where a number of sports disciplines were demonstrated as well as new disciplines were showcased in connection with the coming IOIG 2023.
In a statement, Minister Toussaint indicated that he was pleased with the ongoing preparations for the 11th IOIG to be held in Madagascar from 25 August to 03 September 2023 and expressed confidence in Mauritian athletes’ abilities.
Furthermore, the Minister stressed that he was optimistic that Madagascar would honour its commitments, adding that he was in contact with the Malagasy Sports Minister who had assured him that the best was being done to ensure that the Games were a success.
Mr Toussaint reiterated the commitment of the Government of Mauritius to be of any assistance where necessary and, in this context, Officers of his Ministry and of the MOC were in constant contact with the Malagasy Authorities.
As regards the Olympic Day Run held in conjunction with the first gathering for the IOIG 2023, Minister Toussaint remarked that the atmosphere was great with the presence of all Federations who participated, except for Football and Para-athletics, whose athletes were currently abroad.