A National Futsal Tournament was organised, on 25 June 2022, at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex, by the National Empowerment Foundation (NEF), operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation. This tournament forms part of the ‘Unveiling Talent’ project of the NEF.
Winners of the competition were Espoir du Sud from Savanne district. The first runner-up was ZFC from Black River district while the second runner-up was Savanne Star Sporting from Savanne district.
Present at the event, the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, commended the relevant stakeholders for the organisation of the tournament, which targeted students aged up to 18 years old from families listed on the Social Register of Mauritius.
Through this tournament, which saw the participation of some 144 youths from 18 different teams, the NEF aimed at: inculcating discipline and core values of a contemporary society; reducing sub-cultural diversity; promoting interactions through regression of stereotypes; fostering community spirit; providing alternatives to social ills; and scouting new talents.
The tournament was also an opportunity to gather young people around a single sport, irrespective of economic, social, religious and ethnic backgrounds, and address the sports problem Mauritius faces. Moreover, the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation had included Futsal in the forthcoming 12th Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l’Océan Indien (CJSOI) Games to be organised in Mauritius in December 2022. The tournament was thus an ideal platform to scout new talents in Futsal and eventually try to train and provide them with opportunities to participate in the Games.
It is recalled that Futsal, as an emerging discipline, teaches young people essential skills needed to become efficient members of society by inculcating them values and skills such as discipline, teamwork, rigor, leadership, and the value of effort. In the same vein, the NEF endeavours to help its beneficiaries grow and exploit their potential through alternative means.
