The kick-off of the 12th Games of the Commission for Youth and Sports of the Indian Ocean (CJSOI) was given last night in Côte d’Or, Mauritius.
This large gathering of young people aged 14 to 17 brings joy to a thousand representatives of the seven member countries/territories of the CJSOI. They will compete in 11 sports disciplines and three cultural and leisure sections.
The Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth, the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Pradeep Roopun in the presence of the Minister of Youth Empowerment and Sports Stephan Toussaint declared the Games open.
All members of the National Assembly of Mauritius were also present.
This is the third time that Mauritius has hosted this event after 1995 and 2006. In total, 1009 young people from Madagascar, Seychelles, Reunion, Comoros, Djibouti, Mayotte and Mauritius, including 900 athletes, take part to this great gathering.
On the menu for this two-hour evening: the traditional parade of athletes, the taking of the oaths by athletes and officials, speeches by dignitaries and musical and cultural entertainment performed by young artists in the colors of the participating countries.
In her capacity as President of the CJSOI, Mrs. Marie-Céline Zialor, Seychellois Minister of Youth, Sports and Family, had this to say during the opening ceremony:
“The long-awaited moment has arrived.
“After such a long wait and so much uncertainty about the holding of these 12th CJSOI Games, here we are finally reunited again, in immense joy and in an overheated atmosphere of a great family celebration.
“Certainly, since Djibouti in 2017, the wait and the road to Mauritius has been long and uncertain. Struck by a Covid-19 epidemic and unprecedented health restrictions, the youth of our countries have been forced to remain inactive for many months.
“Thus, the Games have been delayed for a year. Today, facing you, this fine youth of the Indian Ocean, I am proud to note and to proclaim that through our unfailing determination, through our vigor as champions, through our island or coastal dynamism, through the mad desire to see each other again, we are together again”.
Before adding: “Here is the great family of the Indian Ocean, driven by the boundless energy of its youth and joyfully reunited around this same youth. From this moment, and for the next eight days, Mauritius and our entire sub-region will vibrate to the rhythm of your heart, as you exchange your talents, intelligence and inspiration in the various sports competitions and various cultural competitions.
Ms. Zialor invited young people to be active and interactive.
“Apart from the fields and the games or performance halls, I ask you to be as active and interactive. Mix among yourselves, exchange your ideas and your dreams, share, make friends and above all, leave with good memories and the nostalgia that will already make you want to meet again.
“We must not forget that the people of an entire region and beyond will have their eyes fixed on your movements or will remain frozen in front of their television screens, to be as present and to accompany you in this greater gathering and this more great youth festival of the Indian Ocean.
“I ask you to live up to this noble task that awaits you. Be worthy of your status as a young ambassador of your respective countries. »
The Seychelles had Gaël Barreau and Khema Elizabeth as flag bearers.
The head of delegation is Mr. Alain Alcindor.
There are eleven competitive disciplines on the program, all open to girls and boys. Namely: athletics and disabled athletics, beach handball, boxing, futsal, weightlifting, swimming, petanque, tennis, table tennis, triathlon and sailing. Seychellois will participate in all disciplines on the program – except triathlon.
The competitions will begin this Monday, December 5 and will end on the 11th.
The competition will take place at the following venues: the National Sports Complex in Côte D’Or, the National Table Tennis Center in Beau-Bassin, the National Tennis Center in Petit-Camp, the National Boxing Center and the National Center weightlifting in Vacoas, the Beach Arena in Blue-Bay and the Mahébourg Waterfront.
It should be noted that during the last edition in Djibouti, the Seychelles had won 11 medals, including three gold.
Source: Seychelles Nation