Cash prizes were handed over, yesterday evening, to the athletes and their coaches who participated, in March 2022, in the Road Cycling CAC African Championships 2022, in Egypt, and in the Dubai 2022 World Para Athletics Grand Prix – 13th Fazza International Athletics Championships, in the United Arab Emirates.
The Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, Mr Jean Christophe Stephan Toussaint, handed over the cash prizes during the ceremony held at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex.
During his address, Minister Toussaint congratulated the athletes for the determination showcased during their respective competition despite the prevailing COVID-19 challenges. He emphasised that they symbolised the fighting spirit through their strong passion for sports and their ensuing performance, and thus set a good example for the youths of the country. “Your achievement,” he said, “teaches us to never accept defeat.”
The Minister indicated that a travel budget of Rs 1 million was disbursed for the Para Athletes, and Rs 400,000 for those who participated in the Road Cycling CAC African Championships 2022 in Egypt.
Furthermore, the Sports Minister assured that despite the current world crises impacting the economy, the Government would continue to provide financial support for the undertaking of sports activities. On that note, he announced that a sum of Rs 1.5 million would be allocated to the Fédération mauricienne de cyclisme as a compensation for the theft of their equipment that occurred in South Africa, after their participation in Cape Town Cycle Tour, and ahead of the African Championships in Egypt.
Moreover, Mr Stephan Toussaint recalled that Mauritius would soon participate in major sports events namely the 22nd CAA African Athletics Championships, the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games as well as the 12th edition of the Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l’Océan Indien (CJSOI) Games.
Road Cycling CAC African Championships 2022
The cyclists were awarded cash prizes as follows: Rs 135,000 to Kimberley Le Court De Billot; Rs 75,000 to Lucie De Marigny-Lagesse, and to Raphaëlle Lamusse; Rs 45,000 to Christopher Rougier-Lagane, to Aurélien De Comarmond, and to Alexandre Mayer; Rs 30,000 to Celia Halbwachs; and Rs 20,000 to Samuel Quevauvilliers. Coaches Trevor Court and Jean-Claude Chelin received Rs 24,000 and Rs 8,000, respectively.
Dubai 2022 World Para Athletics
Regarding the rewards to athletes, Noemi Alphonse was awarded a cash prize of Rs 179,000; Anais Angeline received Rs 55,000; Denovan Rabaye was presented with Rs 9,750; Anndora Asaun was granted Rs 35,000; and Loïc Bhugeerathee was given Rs 35,000. Coach Jean Marie Bhugeerathee was also awarded Rs 40,000.
