The 12th edition of the Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l’Océan Indien (CJSOI) Games, regrouping 819 members from Comoros, Djibouti, Mauritius, Mayotte, Réunion Island and the Seychelles, was officially launched by the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, on Sunday evening at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex. The Games will be held from 04 to 11 December 2022.
The President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Housing and Land Use Planning, Minister of Tourism, Mr Louis Steven Obeegadoo, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Family of Seychelles, President of the CJSOI, Mrs Marie-Celine Zialor, the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, Mr Stephan Toussaint, members of the National Assembly, diplomatic corps and other personalities were also present at the launching ceremony.
In his address, Prime Minister Jugnauth stated that it is a proud moment to see the youngsters of the Indian Ocean islands regrouped at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex to carry forward the tradition of the CJSOI games. The organisation of this edition is evidence of the quality of the Games, which has made its ways over years to promote friendship ties among the islands and further reinforce cooperation based on social economic and cultural exchanges.
The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to organisers, sponsors and all those who have collaborated in organising the games. There will be 10 disciplines for the Games and in a bid to innovate and remain sophisticated, new disciplines have been included namely futsal, e-sports and beach handball, he stated. In the context of the Games, three cultural competitions will also be organised, he added.
He, moreover, indicated that the contract with the Liverpool Academy has been extended for another three years with the objective to form the youth and have elite athletes in the country. All these measures, he underlined is in line with the National Sports and Activity Policy to promote a sports culture among the population in particular the youth.
As for the President of the CJSOI, she recalled that the 11th edition was held in Djibouti in 2018 while highlighting that the Games have been delayed by one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She observed that the youth have remained inactive during the pandemic and rejoiced that the 12th edition is now a reality.
The eight days, she underpinned, will resonate the vibrancy of the young athletes through their participation in the Games and cultural exchanges. She urged then to be interactive, to connect, and build stronger ties to further consolidate the existing friendly ties in the Indian Ocean region.
Mauritius is hosting the CJSOI Games for the third time. The country previously organised the Games in the 1995 and 2006. The CJSOI Games have as objectives to promote cultural exchanges and friendship ties between young people aas well as foster regional cooperation, sporting culture and development of youth aged between 14 and 17 years.
