Africa-Press – Mauritius. A Ministerial meeting that brought together representatives from Djibouti, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion Island, Seychelles, the Conférence des ministres de la Jeunesse et des Sports de la Francophonie (CONFEJES), and the Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l’Océan Indien (CJSOI) was held, yesterday, at the Côte D’Or National Sports Complex. The meeting was organised in the context of the forthcoming 12th CJSOI Games to be hosted by Mauritius from 04 to 11 December 2022.
The Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, Mr Jean Christophe Stephan Toussaint; the President of the CJSOI and Minister for Youth, Sports and Family of Seychelles, Mrs Marie Céline Zialor; and the Minister of Youth and Culture from Djibouti, Dr (Mrs) Hibo Moumin Assoweh, were present.
In a press conference after the meeting, Minister Toussaint highlighted that the Ministerial meeting reviewed the preparations in the context of the CJSOI 2022 Games as well as the competition sites. The sites for the Games are namely: Côte D’Or National Sports Complex; National Table Tennis Centre, Beau Bassin; Phoenix Gymnasium; National Centre of Boxing, Vacoas; National Weightlifting Centre, Vacoas; Beach Arena in the South; and sailing competition, Mahebourg.
Issues pertaining to transport, accreditation, and sanitary aspects were also on the agenda, underlined Minister Toussaint. He further stated that the logo, mascot and the anthem of the CJSOI Games were presented to the representatives of the participating countries.
Furthermore, he recalled that several Carnivals were held across Mauritius in a bid to sensitise the Mauritian population on the CJSOI Games. He said that the athletes are mentally and physically prepared for the forthcoming Games.
As for the President of the CJSOI, Mrs Zialor, she expressed satisfaction as regards the preparations undertaken by Mauritius as well as the infrastructures to be used for the Games. She stated that all the facilities and logistics are ready for the CJSOI Games.
She added that discussions during the Ministerial meeting focused on changes to be brought in the Games Charter. She appealed for a more modern and innovative CJSOI which better responds to the inspirations and expectations of the youth of the Indian Ocean.
For his part, the Secretary General of the Games, Mr Ashok Cheetamun, recalled that an Expert meeting in the context of the Games was held on 12 and 13 September 2022 at Voilà Hotel, Bagatelle. It was the occasion for a final inspection of the infrastructures planned to host the 11 competition disciplines on the programme, all open to girls and boys. These are: athletics and handisport athletics, beach handball, boxing, futsal, weightlifting, swimming, pétanque, tennis, table tennis, triathlon and sailing.
The Ministerial meeting was also marked by a draw for the futsal and beach handball competitions. For futsal, six teams (male) and four teams (female) have been registered. For males, the draw split the contenders into three teams in Group A and three in Group B. The teams in Group A are: A1-Mauritius; A2-Comoros; and A3-Seychelles. In Group B, the teams are: B1-Reunion Island; B2-Mayotte; and B3-Madagascar.
The teams for females are Mauritius, Mayotte, La Réunion, and Seychelles.
As for beach handball, the participating countries for males are Madagascar, Seychelles, Mayotte, Reunion Island, and Mauritius. For females, Mayotte, Mauritius, Seychelles and Reunion Island are participating.
CJSOI Games
The CJSOI Games were first introduced in year 1994 and it is organised every two years to keep the youth spirit alive. The Games are made-to-measure for youngsters, aged between 14 and 17 years old only.
The prime objective of the Games is to promote friendship between the youth of the countries and to foster regional cooperation and a sporting culture. Only seven countries participate in the CJSOI Games, and they are Djibouti, Comoros, Mayotte, Madagascar, Seychelles, Reunion Island, and Mauritius.
‘Joy’ is the Mascot of the 12th edition of the Games, and has been created by the young and talented ventriloquist, Ms Sarah Theveneau. She is also the winner of the ‘Zenes Montre To Talan’. The official anthem of the Games is titled ‘C’est la Fête’ and it was produced by the Mauritian artist, Gérard Louis, and performed by a local group, Teenagers.
Côte d’Or will be the centre ground to host the competitions for athletics, swimming, petanque and triathlon. Mauritius is expecting some 1,200 participants to compete for the 11 sporting disciplines.
The last edition of the Games was held in Djibouti in 2018 during which Mauritius clinched the top spot and won the games with 10 gold medals.
Mauritius first hosted the CJSOI Games in 1995 and for a second time in 2006. This is the third time that Mauritius is hosting the CJSOI Games.
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