Government Lines Up Projects to Boost Sports

It will also offer lands at Phoenix and Roche Brune for squash, kick-boxing and cycling.

Talking about the projects, the minister of Youth and Sports, Devanand Ritoo told The Independent: “In addition to various sports activities being conducted such as ‘Keep Fit Programmes’ and swimming courses, the Mauritius Schools Saturday Football Leisure has been launched to give a new dimension to football in Mauritius.”

He stated: “This project is an opportunity to find young talents and channel them into this field.”

He outlined: “The mini-soccer tournament involving children aged 7 to 9 which was launched recently both in Mauritius and in Rodrigues is also on the same lines.”
Since 2009, the Ministry has invested around Rs 30 million to promote football as a sport.

The funds allocated to football clubs have been doubled to provide better training sessions for players.

Also, in 2008, since the re-opening of the Centre National François Blacquart, the upgrading of stadiums and football pitches have also been the main priorities of the Sports Ministry.

Similarly, the Mauritius Saturday Football League, the Mini Soccer together with the Street Football was launched to help the youth to get connected to sports activities.

Ritoo added that the National Technical Director and a national coach will be soon employed by his ministry. He underlined that athletes are considerably improving and this is evident in their performances in international competitions.

A committee has been set up to supervise the preparations for the next games in Reunion Island in 2015.