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 Sumo, 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, Karate, Kickboxing, Wushu, Badminton, Tennis 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 Mauritius (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. Olympic sports – 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/Deaflympics 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 Olympic Games. 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 Paris 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 Basketball (10), Handball (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), Cairo, Egypt 2 2 2 6 BOXING: The 2020 African Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament for the boxing tournament at the 2020 0 1 0 1 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan was held in Diamniadio, Senegal 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 Judo 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 Commonwealth Youth Games Port of Spain Postponed until 2023 Trinidad & Tobago 7 2021 Jeux de la Francophonie Initially in Canada Postponed to 19-28 August 2022,Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo 8 22 October- Youth Olympic Games Dakar, Senegal Maintained 9 November 2022 9 25 February-6 Youth African Games Lesotho Maintained March 2022 10 28 July-8 August Commonwealth Games Birmingham, England Maintained 2022 11 2023 African Games Ghana Maintained 12 June-July 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Ivory Coast Maintained 13 7-17 July 2022 World Games Birmingham, USA Maintained 14 2021 World Combat Games Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan 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.