Mauritius: Mauritius Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation organised an Award of Shield for Excellence ceremony. The ceremony took place on Saturday at Poînte Jérôme National Outdoor Education and Recreational Centre providing a platform to acknowledge and honour the outstanding accomplishments of the athletes.
The event was organised by the Trust Fund for Excellence in Sports (TFES) and regrouped young sportsmen and women from the various sporting disciplines currently supported by the Trust.
Addressing the athletes, Minister Toussaint stated that the Shield of Excellence is awarded to the best athletes who have been able to combine sport and study. He stated that the “Shield of Excellence” is an initiative to encourage athletes to improve their performances in sports and studies continuously.
This year was a salutary one for our athletes, who performed brilliantly at the Indian Ocean Island Games in Madagascar. We noted the participation of 50 young athletes who benefit from TFES support at these games, he indicated. Our young TFES beneficiaries won a total of 50 medals at these Games for Mauritius, he added.
In addition, he commended the TFES beneficiaries for their brilliant performances at the Jeux de la Francophonie in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as in several other competitions, such as the continental championships.
He recalled that TFES became operational in July 2005 and had as its objectives to design, finance and implement projects and schemes for the benefit of sportsmen and sportswomen who have achieved excellence in their respective fields at the national or international level, young athletes who have achieved excellence in their respective field at school level; and retired sportsmen and sportswomen who need support and financial assistance in order to embark on other professional activities.
Sports Minister Toussaint lauded the contribution of the TFES while adding that he looks forward to the participation of young athletes at the 13th African Games 2024 and the Summer Olympics to be held in 2024.
