The final countdown for the 8th edition of the Indian Ocean Island Games has started.
The games will kick start on August 5 in Seychelles.
Mauritius is being represented by a strong delegation of 350 athletes and officials.
Boxing champion Bruno Julie has been designated flag bearer for the country.
The 2011 games will revolve around the theme ‘Our Islands, Our Games’. Some 1,700 athletes and officials from Comoros, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mayotte, Réunion and the Seychelles will compete till August 14, in 12 sporting disciplines.
These include boxing, athletics, football, volleyball, basketball, cycling, badminton, swimming, table tennis, judo, sailing and weightlifting.
A total of 588 medals — 188 gold, 188 silver and 212 bronze – will be presented to the winners.
A segment reserved for disabled athletes is also scheduled during the games and Mauritius will be competing in athletics and swimming.
Mauritius won a total of 173 medals (35 gold, 55 silver and 83 bronze) during the last edition of the games held in 2007 in Madagascar.
The Indian Ocean Island Games are organised every four years. The year during which the games are to be scheduled is decided by the international permanent council of the Indian Ocean Island Games. The council has as members Comoros, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mayotte, Réunion and Seychelles.
The philosophy of the games is to instill friendship and mutual understanding among the people of the islands of the Indian Ocean region.
The objectives are also to contribute to regional cooperation for the development of sports in the region and favour sports and technical exchanges, which will enhance the performance of athletes.
The first edition of the games was held in 1979 in Réunion Island.