The Torch relay of the 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG), to be held from 25 August to 03 September 2023 in Madagascar, was officially launched, yesterday at the Pointe Jérôme National Outdoor Education and Recreation Centre in Mahebourg.
Among those present at today’s ceremony were the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, Mr Jean Christophe Stephan Toussaint; the Minister of Youth and Sports from Madagascar, Mr Andre Haja Resampa; the President of the Mauritius Olympic Committee, Mr Hao Thyn Voon Ha Shun; the representative of the Madagascar Olympic Committee, Mr Relaha Jean Claude; as well as other eminent personalities.
During the ceremony, the Torch was handed over by Minister Toussaint to Mr Hao Thyn Voon Ha Shun. It was then lit by the representative of the Madagascar Olympic Committee who then handed the Torch to the Minister of Youth and Sports of Madagascar.
In his address, Minister Toussaint recalled that the success of the 2019 IOIG that Mauritius hosted was due to the collaboration of the Olympic Committee and all other institutions as well as team work displayed by each and everyone.
He lauded the friendly ties that bind Mauritius and Madagascar and expressed conviction that the latter will be successful in organising the 2023 IOIG Games.
For his part, the Malagasy Minister, Mr Andre Haja Resampa, highlighted that both Mauritius and Madagascar collaborate in many fields such as the technical and sports fields while underlining the friendship and unity ties that exist between both nations.
Speaking about the Torch, he said that it is a symbol of friendship and expressed his wish for it to instil in all athletes courage and determination and to enable them excel in their respective discipline.
As for the President of the Mauritius Olympic Committee, Mr Hao Thyn Voon Ha Shun, and the representative of the Madagascar Olympic Committee, Mr Relaha Jean Claude, they both said that the Games bring together athletes and nations which in turn bind them together as a united family.
