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The president of the African Athletics Confederation (AAC), Mr Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, paid a courtesy call on the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, this morning, at the State House, in Réduit.
He was accompanied by the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, Mr Jean Christophe Stephan Toussaint, as well as other personalities, namely: the director of the AAC, Mr Lamine Faty; the director of Sports, Mr N. Samoo Pillay; the president of the Mauritius Athletics Association, Mr Paramasiven Sammynaden; the president of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Mr Giandev Moteea; and, the vice-president of the LOC, Mr Vivian Gungaram.
In a statement following the courtesy call, the president of the AAC highlighted that his visit to Mauritius, from 16 January to 19 January 2022, is being effected in the context of the preparations of the 22nd African Senior Athletics Championships. These Championships, he indicated, will be held in Mauritius from 08 to 12 June 2022 at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex.
Mr Kalkaba Malboum pointed out that he informed President Roopun of the Federation’s expectations to hold a memorable competition in Mauritius. The President of the Republic assured that Government would organise a successful sporting event, he said. ‘After this assurance, we are going back to the headquarters happy with this support for the African youth’, he added.
Speaking of Mauritius as a country that has been a host not only to several continental athletics competitions, but also other sports competitions, the president of the AAC emphasised that Mauritius is a great boxing, badminton and athletics nation comprising of great athletes such as Eric Milazar and Stephan Buckland, among others.
Mr Kalkaba Malboum wished success to the Government of Mauritius in its future endeavours as regards the athletics competition as well as for other events. He expressed confidence that despite the COVID-19 pandemic which limits both the participation of athletes and means of the countries that decide to organise these events, the Republic of Mauritius will live up to its commitment to do so.
For his part, Minister Toussaint indicated that preparation works have already been initiated with the LOC and all the team members. We are looking forward to the holding of the event in June 2022 as it will also be a great opportunity for the whole African continent to discover the beautiful infrastructure of the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex, he added.
As for the president of the LOC, he welcomed the president of the AAC and pointed out that discussions with President Roopun focused on the commitment of the State of Mauritius towards sports, in particular to the African Senior Athletics Championships to be held in June 2022 at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex.
The Government and other stakeholders, Mr Moteea stressed, are working hard to organise this tournament in a bid to promote the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex as an international sports centre of choice.
A contract was signed, this morning, with the Ravenala Attitude Hotel in Balaclava for accommodation and catering facilities with regards to the African Senior Athletics Championships, announced Mr Moteea. Moreover, the logo of this event will be unveiled this afternoon followed by a meeting with the management personnel of the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) so as ensure a good television coverage not only on national level but also on international level, he indicated.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of Mauritius.
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