The Emirates Swimming Pool and Sports Complex, fully funded to the tune of 6 million USD by the Emirates Airlines & Group, was officially opened, this evening, by the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, at Closel Phoenix. The President of Emirates Airline, Sir Timothy Charles Clark; several Ministers; the Ambassador of Mauritius to Saudi Arabia and President of the Vacoas/Phoenix Swimming Pool Foundation, Mr Showkutally Soodhun; representatives of Emirates Airline and other personalities were present at the event.
The Emirates Swimming Pool and Sports Complex, managed by the Vacoas/Phoenix Swimming Pool Foundation, includes a 25m x 20m heated swimming pool with eight lanes; a children’s/learner pool; a seating capacity of 300; an administrative block which houses a fitness centre, a cafeteria, changing rooms; and a full-fledged gymnasium on the first floor. The building has been designed with a green approach to bring down energy consumption through the installation of photovoltaic panels on the metal roof.
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Jugnauth extended his thanks to the Emirates Airline for wholly financing the project which he describes as a gem of a sports facility. The opening, he stated, is being held in the context of the 20th anniversary of Emirates Airline’s operations to and from Mauritius. By contributing to improve our infrastructures, partners like Emirates Airline are helping us achieve our vision to promote sports, he said.
Prime Minister Jugnauth emphasised that the swimming pool is totally aligned with Government’s strategy to encourage Mauritians to be more physically active. To this end, he called upon people to avail themselves of these facilities. He also elaborated on the health benefits of swimming while highlighting that this form of exercise provides a complete work out in itself. He encouraged parents to get their children enrolled in swimming lessons.
Regarding governmental initiatives, Prime Minister Jugnauth pointed out that with the National Sports Physical Activity Policy launched in 2018 to promote physical activity for all, formal training in swimming can now start at a young age for all children. The plan, he said, has enabled physical education to be integrated in the primary school curriculum, thus making primary education more balanced.
Government, Mr Jugnauth further stressed, is investing heavily in sports infrastructures throughout the country. The setting up Cote d’Or National Sports Complex, rated among top five sports hub in Africa is an example of the strong commitment to building world-class sporting venues, he said while adding that it includes support services such as a sports science laboratory, a training centre and a fully equipped medical care centre.
As for Ambassador Soodhun, he pointed out that the opening of such a modern sports infrastructure should be celebrated. He expressed gratitude to the Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group, Mr Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum and the Emirates Airline for fully financing the project. This state-of-art complex stands as an eloquent testimony of the friendship between both nations, he indicated.
For his part, the President of Emirates Airline dwelt on the commitment to be a valued partner for Mauritius. “The swimming complex brings us closer to the people we serve in Mauritius”, he observed. Sir Clark added that the Airline is heavily investing in sports around the world.
