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Brief pour la press Conférence de presse ‘’Bilan 2020’’ du Ministère de l’Autonomisation de la Jeunesse, des Sports et des Loisirs 10.12.2020 Sports section: sectorwise (In English & French) Policy and Planning

1.1. Forty (40) Development plans of National Sports Federations/Sports Organisations have been acknowledged by the Ministry as to date except for , Cricket and Muaythai.

1.2. In the current financial year, approximately Rs. 60 million has been earmarked in favour of National Sports Federations to enable them to achieve their objectives in various sectors (Elite Sports, Youth Development, Training of cadres and Administration).

1.3. With regard to compliance with the Sports Act 2016, 34 National Sports have submitted their rules to the Registry of Associations out of which 13 have been approved.

List of Federations’ Internal Rules approved by the Registrar of Associations: Archery, Golf, Triathlon, Chess, Petanque, Tae Kwon Do, Fencing, , , , Badminton, and Muaythai.

1.4. Thirty-five (35) National Sports Federations have contracted an insurance cover for their athletes compared to 21 in the year 2017.

1.5. Measures taken by the Ministry to tackle the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic:

a. All National Sports Federations had been contacted by mail on 30 April 2020 for the elaboration of a post confinement plan for gradual resumption of sports activities. Thirty-six (36) National Sports Federations/Sports Organisations had submitted their plans for resumption of activities in phases. On basis of these plans and guidelines from the Government, the Ministry has issued protocols for the resumption of activities. These protocols included the following elements:

The following activities were not allowed:  organisation of sport events and gatherings;  the practice of team sports; and  opening of gymnasia and fitness centres.

Federations were informed that Government had allowed for the practice of individual sports with a minimum of 5 metres distance between each person. Measures that were outlined on 02 June 2020:  not more than 12 athletes (Group of 4 persons) to be present in a training slot at one time on a site;  all athletes to adhere to the sanitary protocols including temperature monitoring on site and a one-time medical test when resuming training;  athletes advised to bring their water bottles and personal equipment and not share them with others;  changing rooms to remain close;  athletes to be in sport outfits before reaching their respective sites;  public or family members of athletes not allowed on the premises of sports facilities.  the responsibility to follow sanitary measures as prescribed rested upon the Federations;  Each Federation to take all specific measures applicable to its sport as recommended by International Sports Federations.

Moreover, all Government-owned facilities were cleaned and disinfected prior to utilisation and provided with sanitising gels and a temperature monitoring system. With the collaboration of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, 100 elite athletes had performed rapid tests for COVID-19 on the 20 June 2020. None were positive cases. As to date, all activities have resumed normally on Government-owned facilities while taking all sanitary measures and precautions.

1.6. Strategic plans for Active (35 actions) and for Facilities Management have been elaborated in July 2020.

LAMPs project has been introduced on a pilot basis. In collaboration with the Local Authorities.

1.7. Categorisation of National Sports Federations and Sports Organisations which was one of the recommendations made in the National Sport and Physical Activity Policy is being implemented. It will be performance based and will allow strategical funding of sports federations. – 6 World, 2 Inter Continental, 11 Continental, 8 Regional. Non-Olympic sports – 3 World, 2 Continental, 8 Regional.

1.8. The Cash Prize Scheme was also reviewed for alignment with the objectives of the National Sport and Physical Activity Policy. The cash prize for medallists at Paralympics/ have been aligned to that for Olympics.

2. Elite Sports

2.1. Financial Assistance to National Sports Federations

An approximate sum of Rs. 23 million has been earmarked in favour of National Sports Federations for the year 2021-2021 for the promotion of elite sports.

Sum disbursed as at 15 Nov 2020: approx.: Rs. 11 m mainly towards the organisation of national competitions, training camps, purchase of general & specific equipment and monthly allowance to National Coaches and Assistant Coaches.

2.2. Athlete Assistance Scheme

Athletes continued to benefit from their monthly assistance during the lock-down period from March to June 2020.

Coaches were encouraged to conduct training sessions online so as to enable athletes to pursue individual training.

The number of beneficiaries as at September 2020: 125

a. World: 10 b. Inter-continental Level: 16 c. Continental Level: 33 d. Regional Level: 66

Disbursement in favour of elite athletes as at end of September 2020: Rs. 13,756,000.

Mr. Richarno Colin, boxer is the first Mauritian athlete qualified for the Tokyo 2020 . He has been granted a monthly allowance of Rs. 19,500 under the Athlete Assistance Scheme and a top up of Rs. 15,000 as special monthly allowance following his qualification at the Olympic Games to enable him to continue his preparation.

International competitions have been either postponed or cancelled due to the pandemic. The Ministry with the collaboration of National Sports Federations is focusing on a continuous basis for organisation of national championships and training camps to help the elite athletes to stay active for their physical and mental health as well as to maintain their performances awaiting resumption of international competitions.

Coaches were also granted their monthly coaching allowance from the Ministry through their respective NSFs.

Retired Athletes

116 retired sportspersons benefited from the ‘State Recognition Allowance Scheme for Retired Athletes’.

2.3. Cash prizes awarded to athletes in 2020

Period Total August 2019 to March 2020 Rs 2,287,750.

2.4. Major Events in Mauritius

The Ministry has extended the following supports for the hosting of the following major events in 2020:

 2020 SHANDRANI ATU TRIATHLON AFRICAN CUP Date: 15 March 2020 Venue: Shandrani Hotel and on the Coastal road

 CAC ROAD AFRICAN CHAMPIONHIPS 2020 (postponed due to outbreak of covid-19)

Date: 23- 29 March 2020 Venue: Cote D’ Or Sports Complex and Sorѐze Link Road

 2020 AFRICAN WEIGHTLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS (postponed due to outbreak of covid-19)

Date: 13 to 20 April 2020 Venue: Vacoas Sports Complex

2.5.A Committee set up and named as Horizon 2024 was set up in February 2020 at Cote d’Or under the Trust Fund for Excellence in Sports to start preparation for the Olympic Games 2024. As to date, 13 potential and promising elite athletes have been identified by the Committee for support in training, competitions, training camps, equipment, medical/paramedical etc.

2.6.The Club Maurice Company has donated sanitary masks and gels to National Sports Federations as a strategy to tackle the pandemic. A ceremony was held on 29 October 2020 at the Cote d’Or National Sports Complex for that purpose.

2.7.45 sports clubs in (10), (11), Rugby (6) and Volleyball (18) were granted each Rs. 100 000/- as financial support to participation in respective national league. A ceremony was held on 23 October 2020 at the Mezannine Floor, Citadelle Mall, Port Louis for that purpose.

Total Amount No. of Clubs S.N. Team Sports (Rs) MEN WOMEN TOTAL 1 BASKETBALL 1,000,000 10 0 10 2 HANDBALL 1,100,000 6 5 11 3 RUGBY 600,000 3 3 6 4 VOLLEYBALL 1,800,000 8 10 18 TOTAL 4,500,000 27 18 45

2.8.Performances of Mauritian athletes in Major International Events (Senior)

Event Gold Silver Bronze Total

BADMINTON: 2020 African Badminton Championships (14 - 16 February 2020), , 2 2 2 6

BOXING: The 2020 African Olympic Qualification Tournament for the boxing tournament at the 2020 0 1 0 1 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan was held in Diamniadio, from 20 to 29 February 2020. (-63 KG) Richarno Colin won Silver

2.9. Major Competitions /Games 2020 - 2021

 CJSOI Games: Taking into consideration the pandemic, the games initially scheduled for July 2021 postponed to August 2022.

 MAJOR SPORTS EVENTS (Postponed due to Covid-19 & others maintained as scheduled)

S.N Event Venue Remarks Date(s)

1 23 - 29 March 2020 Confederation Africaine de Cyclisme” (CAC) Road Cote D’ Or Sports Complex and Sorѐze Postponed until further notice Championships Link Road

2 13-20 April 2020 African Weightlifting Championships National Weightlifting Centre, Vacoas Postponed until further notice

3 16-19 April 2020 African Championships Maroc Postponed to 28-30 November 2020

4 23 July to 8 August Olympic Games Tokyo, Japan Postponed to 2021 (same date)

Paralympic Games Tokyo, Japan 24 August-5 September 2021

5 16-25 July 2021 CJSOI Games Mauritius Postponed to August 2022

6 1-7 August 2021 Port of Spain Postponed until 2023 Trinidad & Tobago

7 2021 Initially in Postponed to 19-28 August 2022,, Democratic Republic of Congo 8 22 October- Dakar, Senegal Maintained 9 November 2022

9 25 February-6 Youth Lesotho Maintained March 2022

10 28 July-8 August Birmingham, England Maintained 2022

11 2023 African Games Maintained

12 June-July 2023 Cup of Nations Maintained

13 7-17 July 2022 Birmingham, USA Maintained

14 2021 Nur Sultan, Maintained

3. Youth Development

3.1.The Trust Fund for Excellence in Sports is providing support to more than 100 athletes/students at Secondary, Vocational and Tertiary Level Education.

3.2.18 000 young potential athletes are training in 121 technical youth structures across the island.

3.3.Liverpool Football Academy Mauritius was launched in August 2019. 3000 potential talents were detected among which 273 are provided regular training including 18 girls.

National Youth Football League – 1357 participants

Talent identification department Sports investment strategy The Ministry has extended financial and logistics supports for the development and expansion of youth sports in Mauritius. A number of initiatives have been taken in this regard during the past 3 years to  Activate and consolidate existing structures which were not functioning  Set up sustainable sports structures in major sports discipline.  Set up competitions within set structures such as Volleyball, basketball, badminton.  Set up youth tournament within the region for established structures  Set up different youth selections in each selected sport.  Recruit new players for LFC football academy and in other training centres.

4. Youth Development Training centres 4,977 young potential athletes are training in following technical youth centres across the island.

 Athletics 7 Regional Technical Centers  Badminton 4 Regional Technical Centers  Basketball 8 Ecoles de Basket  Hand ball 6 Ecoles de Handball  Football 27 “Atelier football Debutant” and 41 Ecole de foot  Volleyball 6 Ecole de Volley  2 Judo Regional Training Centres  2 National Youth under 18 Selections (Boys and Girls)

3. Youth Competitions Regional and National competitions Although competition is not our main task, the department and with the collaboration of sports federations has been able to organize competitions in football, Basketball, Hand Ball, and athletics at regional and national level the following categories.

Football  Inter Ecole de foot competitions  (category) Under 8, Under 10, under 12(Reached 2725 participants)  Inter-Regional Technical centres (Football)National Youth Football League 2020  Category) under 13, under 15 and under 17 years  (Reached 1357 participants) Athletics  Athletics schools  (Category)Under 15 years inter ‘Ecoles Athletisme (reached 400participants)  Regional Training Center  Inter-Regional Training Center Competitions. (140participants) Basket Ball  Inter-Regional Basket Ball Competitions(160participants) U13, U15, U17 years

Hand Ball  Inter ecole de Hand ball Competitions (120 participants) U13-17 years Badminton  Inter-Regional Badminton Centres Competitions (75 participants) U12-17 Years Wrestling  Inter Ecole de Lutte (85participants) U12-20years Financial Assistance to National Sports Federations

An approximate sum of Rs.11, million has been earmarked in favour of National Sports Federations for the year 2021-2021 for the promotion and development of youth sports.

Sum disbursed as at 20 Nov 2020: approx.: Rs. 6 m mainly towards the organization of national youth competitions, training camps, purchase of general & specific equipment, overtime and coaching allowances

Additional Funding

An amount of 21 million has been earmarked for the Operational costs of regional and national sports training centres. As at 20 November 2020 an approximate sum of 8 million has been disbursed to ensure the full operation of the training centres in athletics, football, badminton, basket Ball, hand ball, volleyball and judo.

Major events in 2020

JANUARY  10th January -Genbao football Academy, v/s Liverpool Football Academy, Mauritius  23rd January National junior show jumping competition FEBRUARY  16-23 February Junior development amp and Troubeck Junior ,  28th-29 February AROI Rugby Competition, MARCH  Inaugural match of National Youth Football League LFC Academy, Mauritius v/s Flacq

April-JULY –COVID19

AUGUST  6 August -Resumption of national youth football league

SEPTEMBER  Regional Brazilian Jui Jitsu competition,Flacq  Detection of players for LFC Academy (2008-2009)  Walking Football 3rd and 23rd September OCTOBER  17th October –Regional Cross Triathlon and Duathlon, Competition, Triathlon at Azuri, Roches Noires NOVEMBER  3-15 November Promotion of boxing and training camp in Rodrigues

4. Sports for All

4.1.Various Sports for All programmes are being run by the Mauritius Sports Council through Active Mauritius to foster an inclusive sports and physical activity culture.

4.2.The TAFISA World Walking Day was celebrated on the 4th October 2020 in 21 constituencies across the island and regrouped more than 3 000 persons. Similarly, during the week ending the 4 October 2020, a nationwide campaign was held in schools and during training of national teams to sensitize on the benefits of walking on health.

4.3.The Ministry for the welfare of its staff members organized the walking football competition during period the month of September 2020. 18 teams were constituted with participation of around 180 staff members.

Activities under the Mauritius Sports Council and Activ Maurutius

MAURITIUS SPORTS COUNCIL SN PROGRAM ACTIVITY PARTICIPANTS Remarks

After School Sports and Fitness Program - Primary 20,816

After School Sports and Fitness Program - Secondary 1500

Natation Scolaire 4133

Covid - 19 Winter Holiday Sports Camp - 1 MOVE IT 7 to 8 Dec Summer Holiday Sports Camp * 2020 7 to 8 Dec Nager C'est Vital * 2020 7 to 8 Dec Anou Naze Rodrigues * 2020 7 to 8 Dec Camp de Vacances * 2020 YOUTH ON 2 Vulnerable Youth 58 THE MOVE

Exercise to Music 280

3 AGEING WELL Walking Club 506

Exercise Referral Consultant 8

ELDERLY 4 Elderly Home Care Program 184 FITNESS

5 LAMPS World Walking Day 4 Oct 2020 88,996

Grand Total for year 2020 at 3 12/20 116,181

Additional Actions for 2020: Publication of Strategy of Active Mauritius & Facility Mauritius

THE UPCOMING PROGRAM for 2021:  Learn to Swim  Active School Flags  Exercise at Work  Outdoor Education  12 Hours Non-Stop